The New York Mets confirm they have signed former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow to a minor-league contract. Tebow spent nearly two hours last week at the USC’s Dedeaux Field running a 60-yard dash, shagging fly balls, throwing from the outfield and taking swings against former major league pitchers David Aardsma and Chad Smith in his audition for clubs.
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The 29-year-old took batting practice, ran sprints and played in the outfield in Los Angeles as approximately 50 reporters and 40 scouts watched him at the Major League Baseball Workout, the annual event attended by scouts from every team in the league.
The amount of Tebow’s signing bonus the maximum before the Mets could incur a tax under baseball’s labor contract was obtained by The Associated Press from a person familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because the figure was not announced. He played for the New York Jets during his time in the National Football League following a spell with the Denver Broncos.
Tebow, a former Heisman Trophy victor, has played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tebow is designated as an outfielder, and will probably try to make his way to Double AA baseball at some point during 2017.
Tebow hasn’t played the game competitively since high school, but has been working out with former Major Leaguer Chad Moeller since Memorial Day. We are extremely intrigued with the potential that Tim has. Tebow had preseason workouts with the New England Patriots in 2013 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. Alderson declined to shed any light on what level Tebow would begin his minor league career next season. After all, Tebow knows what he’s talking about as arguably the greatest college football player of all time. “We are part of the entertainment industry, and I think this will add some excitement to our spring”, Mets general manager Steve Phillips said at the time.
I have been generally indifferent with regards to Tebow’s attempt at a baseball career thus far.
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No word yet on how the Mets view Tebow long term, but for now, the ex-NFLer has the shot he hoped for. Tebow reportedly had contract offers from 10 different teams, but the Mets were the only one who would let him keep his job with SEC Nation.
