Mets' Collins Says He'd Like Tebow To Play In 2017 Spring Training Games
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (CBSNewYork) -- Tim Tebow could soon be in the same lineup with Yoenis Cespedes and David Wright.
Speaking to reporters at baseball's winter meetings Tuesday, Mets manager Terry Collins said he would like to see the quarterback-turned-baseball prospect play in spring training games in 2017.
"If he's not in our camp, I'll get him over," Collins said.
The Mets signed Tebow, 29, to a minor league contract in September and sent him to their instructional league in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and the Arizona Fall League.
Playing against some of the game's top pitching prospects, Tebow struggled in the AFL. In 19 games, he batted .194 (12-of-62) with three doubles and struck out 20 times in 70 plate appearances.
Collins said he watched Tebow play in the Fall League, but he did not meet the former Broncos and Jets quarterback.
Collins said he's not concerned about the potential distraction Tebow might cause if he reported to spring training with the big league club.
"We're in New York," the manager said. "We can handle anybody with a name on his back in camp.
"Maybe he's got some fancy cars he can drive around," Collins joked, referring to the parade of high-priced vehicles Yoenis Cespedes drove to camp last spring.
