Mets Sign Tim Tebow To Minor League Deal

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The Mets have signed outfielder Tim Tebow to a minor league contract, according to a team press release.  He’ll head to the team’s instructional league at their Spring Training site in Port St. Lucia, Fla. Tebow is represented by CAA’s Brodie Van Wagenen.



The “outfielder” label, of course, is relatively new for the former NFL quarterback. Tebow’s most recent baseball experience came all the way back in high school, as he went on to star at the University of Florida in an extremely successful college career that saw him win the 2007 Heisman Trophy before being drafted 25th overall in the 2010 draft by the Denver Broncos. Tebow became an unlikely hero early in his NFL career, leading the Broncos to a number of late-game comebacks in his second NFL season, including a dramatic overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his overall performance was middling, at best, and Tebow would appear in just one more NFL season (2012 as a member of the Jets). He signed contracts with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles as well in 2013 and 2015 but appeared only in preseason contests for the two teams, ultimately settling in as an analyst at ESPN before recently announcing his desire to pursue a baseball career.

It goes without saying that the 29-year-old Tebow is a phenomenal natural athlete, though that certainly doesn’t guarantee any form of success in his move from professional football to professional baseball. Tebow worked out in front of scouts for 28 of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams last week — the Cubs and A’s did not attend — and was met with, at best, mixed reviews. Tebow was average or slightly above average in his 60-yard dash time and impressed scouts with his raw power, but his throwing arm drew considerably weaker reviews. And of course, Tebow will have to adjust to facing professional pitching on the fly. To this point, he’s worked out with former MLB catcher Chad Moeller and hit against free agent reliever David Aardsma, who pitched in the Majors as recently as last season. Still, even for an athlete of Tebow’s caliber, the learning curve will be substantial from this point forth.

While it has to be characterized as an extreme long shot that Tebow will ever be a meaningful contributor for the Mets (or even reach the Majors, for that matter), there’s little downside in at least rolling the dice on an athlete of his caliber that at least showed some degree of promise in a showcase. Braves GM John Coppolella offered similar sentiments just two nights ago, stating that there’s “no risk” to signing Tebow and admitting that Atlanta was exploring the possibility of signing Tebow to a minor league deal. And Tebow drew at least some degree of interest from at least eight teams, including the Blue Jays, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported last night (links to Twitter).

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the signing (via Twitter).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Mark Sanchez will reportedly sign with Cowboys after Broncos release

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Mark Sanchez is headed to the Dallas Cowboys after being released by the Denver Broncos, according to a report.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys are Sanchez’s destination. The move came just moments after the Broncos saved a significant sum of money and a draft pick they would have given to Philadelphia had he made their roster.

Former Broncos and Eagles QB Mark Sanchez is going to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, league source tells ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2016

With Broncos releasing QB Mark Sanchez, they save $ 4.5 million and don"t have to pay Eagles the conditional 7th-round pick.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2016

Troy Renck of ABC Denver previously reported that the Broncos had been trying to trade Sanchez, with the Cowboys named as a suitor.

#Broncos still pushing to trade Sanchez as deadline approaches. Have had talks with #Cowboys… and multiple others. Keeping options open

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 3, 2016

None of this is a surprise. Sanchez’s fate in Denver was sealed as soon as Trevor Siemian won the Broncos’ starting job. Trade talks had been ongoing, but Dallas was never going to give up much with the knowledge that Denver was never going to let that money and the draft pick go guaranteed. They knew that Denver would inevitably dump him, and were happy to wait it out and snap him up as soon as they did. Sanchez will serve as Dak Prescott’s backup until Tony Romo returns from injury.

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Raptors Sign Masai Ujiri to Multi-Year Extension

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In an anticipated move, Masai Ujiri signed a multi-year contract extension to remain president of the Raptors.

His top lieutenants, Jeff Weltman and Bobby Webster, were promoted to GM and assistant GM/vice-president of basketball strategy, respectively.

In conjunction with Ujiri"s new deal, Toronto promotes Masai"s top aides Jeff Weltman (to general manager) and Bobby Webster (assistant GM).

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 2, 2016

Uriji had two years left on his original five-year deal signed back in May of 2013. Terms of the extension were not immediately released.

Per Raptors press release:

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have signed President Masai Ujiri to a multi-year contract extension and promoted Jeff Weltman to general manager and Bobby Webster to assistant general manager/vice-president basketball strategy. Ujiri will continue to oversee basketball operations as president of the club.

 

“I am grateful to the Board and Mr. Tanenbaum for the opportunity to continue our progress to build the Raptors into one of the top franchises in the NBA,” said Ujiri. “I’m also excited that Jeff and Bobby are being rewarded for their hard work and valuable contributions to our program.

 

“My family thanks the NBA, Raptors players and coaches, staff, Raptors fans, the city of Toronto and Canada for this opportunity. Toronto is home for us.”

The post Raptors Sign Masai Ujiri to Multi-Year Extension appeared first on SLAMonline.

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Jets Sign RB Antone Smith, Place Pierce on IR

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The Jets announced a pair of RB transactions today, singing veteran Antone Smith and placing Bernard Pierce  on injured reserve.

The 5’9”, 192-pound Smith, a Florida State product entering his seventh NFL season, appeared in five games with the Chicago Bears last season. An undrafted free agent who spent his first five credited NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Smith has averaged 9.9 yards on his 30 NFL carries and totaled 7 touchdowns on 45 touches.

Pierce signed with the Jets in July, but he had been slowed by a hamstring injury during training camp. The 6’0”, 232-pound Pierce, a Temple alum, appeared in seven games last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending his first three pro seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He has rushed for 1,345  yards and 5 TDs on his 359 career attempts.

We have signed RB Antone Smith and placed RB Bernard Pierce on IR.

DETAILS >> https://t.co/m6Ra0c2K5E pic.twitter.com/HIIknyxUKL

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 16, 2016

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Nick Foles to sign with Chiefs

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Nick Foles is heading to Kansas City for a reunion with Andy Reid.

NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo first reported that Foles will sign with the Chiefs.

In addition to the Chiefs, Foles had offers from the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.

FA QB Nick Foles agreed to terms with the #KCChiefs, per @MikeGarafolo, and I"m told he also had offers from the #Cowboys & #Vikings.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2016

Foles requested his release from the Rams last week. He spent 2015 with the Rams, throwing for just 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He spent the three previous seasons with the Eagles. Reid was the team’s head coach in Foles’ rookie season when he started six games for the Eagles.

Foles’ best season came in 2013 when he passed for 27 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

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