Tim Tebow Signs Minor League Contract With New York Mets

New York Mets fans were treated to a strange piece of news early Thursday: Tim Tebow has signed a minor league contract with the team.

Tim Tebow Signs Minor League Contract With New York Mets

The former NFL quarterback will begin his professional baseball career in the fall instructional league on Sept. 19 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson insisted that signing Tebow, 29, is not a publicity stunt.

“While I and the organization, I think, are mindful of the novel nature of this situation, this decision was strictly driven by baseball,” Alderson said on a conference call with Tebow and agent Brodie Van Wagenen on Thursday to announce the agreement. “This was not something that was driven by marketing considerations or anything of the sort. We are extremely intrigued with the potential that Tim has.”

Terms of the deal weren’t immediately available, although baseball executives expect Tebow, a former Heisman Trophy winner who played for the Broncos and the Jets, to sign for something in the low six figures.

The move, which was first reported by ESPN, will have no impact on the National League playoff race; the potential outfielder is considered by scouts to still be far from the majors. The deal with Tebow was made at the highest levels of the organization– by Alderson and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon. 

Tebow worked out last week in Los Angeles for a group of scouts that included representatives from 28 of the 30 MLB teams. He amazed some of the scouts present with his power from the left side of the plate. The scouts were aware that Tebow hasn’t played baseball since his junior year of high school.

The quarterback acknowledged his transition to baseball would be difficult, but also sounded excited about the opportunity.

“I know this is a tough game,” Tebow said. “But I’m looking forward to putting in the work and I felt like this was the best fit.”

Tebow has been working out with former major league catcher Chad Moeller in Scotsdale, Arizona since Memorial Day. He also spent nearly two hours last week at Southern California’s Dedeaux Field running a 60-yard dash, shagging fly balls, throwing from the outfield and swinging against former major league pitchers David Aardsma and Chad Smith in his audition for clubs.

Tebow won the Heisman Trophy for the Florida Gators in 2007 and helped the team win two national championships. He spent training camps with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 and 2015, respectively, but never played in the regular season for those teams.

Since 2013, Tebow has been a college football analyst for ESPN. Alderson said the QB will be permitted to miss fall instructional league a few days each week in order to fulfill that commitment.

“Tim is committed to his role at SEC Network and ESPN this fall,” Stephanie Druley, ESPN senior vice president, event and studio production, said in a statement. “We have always been supportive of Tim’s athletic pursuits. His new schedule will allow him to continue as a college football analyst on SEC Nation this fall.”

Former major league pitchers Dallas Braden, who is now an ESPN analyst, and C.J. Nitkowski took to Twitter to express their opinion that Tebow wasn’t ‘serious’ about playing baseball given his arrangement that grants him excused days off each week.

After Tebow participates in the fall instructional league, which is primarily designed for teenage prospects, Alderson said he is not ruling out sending Tebow to the Arizona Fall League or a winter league.

Even if Tebow never attains the majors, this deal is a win for the Mets because the quarterback will set a good example for the minor leaguers with his work ethic and character.

Still, Alderson insisted Tebow has on-field potential.

“Any player evaluation starts with tools,” Alderson said. “From that standpoint, without grading everything out, suffice it to say Tim has been a great athlete. He has demonstrated more than rudimentary baseball skills. We think, with his commitment to success, that this is an opportunity that is worthwhile.

“In terms of power, in terms of arm, in terms of foot speed, all of those things, we think he can be a baseball player. I think that is underscored by his competitiveness and his determination to succeed and to improve. From our standpoint, this is another opportunity for us to develop a player and see where it goes. We understand most players don’t make it to the major leagues.”

Tebow said he nearly attempted starting a professional baseball career a year ago, but the Eagles’ interest put it on the back-burner.

Asked about his preferred position, Tebow said he’ll take his cue from the organization. But he noted he’s a lefty thrower, so there’s a limit.

“My best position is whatever they feel like it is,” he said. “I feel comfortable in the outfield. I feel comfortable at first base.”

Tebow also gave a very simple answer regarding what he would like to accomplish to become successful as a baseball player.

“I would consider success giving everything I have,” he said.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 03: Quarterback Tim Tebow #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up on the sidelines against the New York Jets in the third quarter during a pre-season game at MetLife Stadium on September 3, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)