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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Tim Tebow signs minor league contract with Mets

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Tim Tebow is officially a professional baseball player.

The New York Mets announced on Thursday that they have signed Tebow to a minor league contract.

We have signed OF @TimTebow to a minor league contract. He will participate in the #Mets Instructional League. pic.twitter.com/I6gmW0b6hY

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 8, 2016

The instructional league is the earliest stage of development for a player, so Tebow has a long way to go before he can even think about sniffing the grass at Citi Field.

At least one other team was interested in the same type of deal for Tebow, which makes sense. There’s no risk involved with this type of contract. While it is still highly unlikely that Tebow will ever play in the majors, some felt he was more impressive than expected at his MLB workout. You can see some videos from that here.

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Will Tim Tebow Join These Notable Athletes In Playing Pro Football & Baseball?

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Tim Tebow isn’t the first ex-professional football player to try to make it in Major League Baseball, and he likely won’t be the last.

There’s no questioning Tebow’s athletic ability — he arguably is one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time — but life in the NFL was a different story for his throwing motion.

So now he’s turned his sights toward baseball, as he hopes to play professionally in both sports, much like Jim Thorpe, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders did.

Click to see notable athletes who played pro baseball and football >>

Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
Story photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images

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Tim Tebow receives contract offer from independent league team

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Tim Tebow has received another offer to play professional baseball, although this one is much less serious than his previous offer.

The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League offered Tebow a baseball contract on Wednesday.

“The Bluefish welcome Tim with open arms,” said Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole. “The Atlantic League is all about giving players opportunity, and we think Bridgeport would be a great place for him to begin his professional baseball career.”

What makes this a publicity stunt of sorts? The fact that the Atlantic League’s regular season ends in less than three weeks. That wouldn’t be enough time for Tebow to do much. Let’s also not forget that this team made headlines earlier this year by having Jennie Finch guest manage the team for a day.

Tebow already has a legitimate offer from a Venezuelan winter league team outstanding, and he received interest from a handful of MLB teams after his workout Tuesday.

Getting his feet wet in independent league ball wouldn’t be the worst thing for Tebow, but it makes sense for him to hold out for something better.

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Five to six MLB teams interested in signing Tim Tebow

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Tim Tebow has received interest from about 5-6 MLB teams, according to a report.

Tebow held his workout for professional baseball scouts on Tuesday at USC’s Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles. He ran a 60-yard dash, threw balls from the outfield to show his arm strength, caught balls in the outfield, took batting practice, and then took swings off pitchers.

Dozens of media members as well as over 20 scouts were present for the workout.

Baseball America’s Taylor Blake Ward says about 5-6 MLB teams have expressed interest in signing the former Denver Broncos QB.

Tim Tebow"s representative says there"s 5-6 MLB teams that have expressed some sort of interest in signing him

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

representative says they"re hoping that Tim Tebow will sign soon enough to get into instructional league, which is usually mid-October

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

Tebow’s best asset as a player seems to be his power as a hitter. He showed around average speed and defense abilities, but well above average power.

Here’s a breakdown of how Tebow did in each aspect of the workout.

Most scouts in attendance apparently timed Tebow in the 6.7-second range for the 60, which is around average to slightly above average for an MLB player.

Tim Tebow running 6.76 in 60-yard dash pic.twitter.com/urIzp4da8W

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

for what it"s worth, 6.7-6.9 in 60-yard dash is around Major League average, three scouts had Tim Tebow at exactly 6.76

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

According to Ward, Tebow’s arm strength was rated at about a 45 on the 20-80 scout scale, which is around average.

Tim Tebow throwing from right field pic.twitter.com/2AYsWIhyTW

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

NL scout says Tim Tebow is "fringe but servicable" outfielder, would be okay to put in left field, arm lacks true carry, 45-grade

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

During batting practice, Tebow hit multiple balls out of the park, including one shot that sailed beyond the trees next to the scoreboard, a blast estimated at around 430 feet.

Tim Tebow hit this ball well out, scout estimated at 430, hit another one over Dedeux Field scoreboard by 20 feet pic.twitter.com/DciJrpFl01

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

Tim Tebow hit the fourth BP pitch to where I circled the red-dot… uh huh… pic.twitter.com/9Om5gHnA5R

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016

Then facing two former MLB pitchers, Ward estimated Tebow went about 3-for-11 with a walk.

Tebow has already received a contract offer from a Venezuelan winter league team. The former Heisman Trophy winner is hoping to sign in time to join an instructional league team.

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Gary Sheffield believes Tim Tebow can play in MLB

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Tim Tebow is pursuing a career in professional baseball, and one former MLB player can see it happening.

Gary Sheffield, who played more than 20 years in the big leagues and made nine All-Star Game appearances, said Tuesday that he believes Tebow can make it at the highest level.

I spent time w @TimTebow in the cages recently, he"s a NATURAL. I absolutley believe in his ability to play in the bigs. Tim has IT #focused

— Gary Sheffield (@garysheffield) August 9, 2016

No one would question Tebow’s work ethic, but he has not played competitive baseball since he was in high school more than 10 years ago. The former Florida Gators star will turn 29 later this month, so it’s not like he has much time to make an impression, either.

Many people believe Tebow can do anything he puts his mind to, but the other career avenue he expressed interest in probably makes more sense than professional baseball. In all likelihood, the only chance Tebow has is a minor league team looking to create a buzz by signing him. Actually, one has already made an offer:

.@TimTebow offered contract by @boomersbaseball https://t.co/8nl81B1Skr pic.twitter.com/p7U1TOpFbA

— Schaumburg Boomers (@boomersbaseball) August 9, 2016

An MLB career this late in the game would be almost impossible, regardless of endorsements from Sheffield or anyone else.

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