Minor league pitcher criticizes Mets over ‘toxic’ organization and Tim Tebow signing

Minor league pitcher Andrew Church was released from the New York Mets this week. And he let the club know exactly how he felt.

Right-handed pitcher Andrew Church was one of the many minor league players released by the New York Mets on Thursday amid the coronavirus pandemic. He had been with the club since 2013, when he was taken in the second-round of the MLB draft. And he had some thoughts to share with everyone on the type of organization the Mets are operating.

“The culture that has been built within that organization is toxic,” Church wrote on Instagram. “Filled with snakes and bottom feeders trying to elevate their professional careers at the expense of the players, with no remorse.”

Church briefly retired in 2018 before returning to play for the AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies. He said in his post that he retired due to his frustration with the organization.

“I was bitter, frustrated, and angry at the Mets organization,” Church wrote. “I felt my competitive nature was being taken advantage of.”

Church accuses the organization of pushing him to play when injured and not taking the proper precautions with his body.

“I realized this wasn’t in my best interest when my delayed flight landed in the 3rd inning, and I was on the mound in a AAA baseball game for the first time, without any warm-up throws,” Church wrote. “My UCL originally tore that night.”

Church also accuses New York of belittling the team by adding a “celebrity” to the roster.

“They made a mockery of our team by putting a celebrity on it to sell more tickets,” Church wrote. “We weren’t playing to win, we were playing to make everyone else money.”

The “celebrity” Church is talking about is presumably Tim Tebow, who signed a minor league contract with the Mets in 2016. Tebow joined the organization after leaving the NFL and struggled to have an impact on the field. Church’s criticism echoes the sentiment of fans who believe Tebow’s signing took away opportunities from other prospects.

But it’s clear that while Church was angered by Tebow’s presence and impact on the team, it was far from his only complaint about the Mets organization.

“I lost my drive to perform for an organization who continuously treats us as pawns in their chess games,” Church wrote. “Especially when the ones doing it, don’t know what it takes to be a baseball player.”

The Mets have not publicly commented on Church’s remarks.