Braves' interest in Tim Tebow 'a pure baseball thing' — and it makes sense

Bob Hille

Braves' interest in Tim Tebow 'a pure baseball thing' — and it makes sense image

The Braves have had "multiple" conversations about a potential "low risk" signing of Tim Tebow, GM John Coppolella confirmed.

And their interest is more about the former Florida and NFL QB's on-field potential than selling tickets at minor-league ballparks in SEC country.

MORE: Why Tebow makes sense for Braves

"We are interested in Tim because of his potential as a baseball player, not as a gate attraction,'' Coppolella said (via ESPN.com). "We have spoken with his representatives multiple times and all parties involved want this to be a pure baseball thing on every level."

Tebow, 29, worked out last week in Los Angeles for 46 scouts representing 28 teams, including the Braves, who had two scouts there.

The Braves' interest in Tebow — first reported by ESPN and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution — makes sense on a lot of levels, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal:

— He would cost almost nothing, likely a deal worth less than $100,000.

MORE: Why we should all want to be like Tebow

— He wouldn't block top prospects since he won't take a spot on the team's 40-man roster and could start at Double-A, a reach for Tebow but a level at which the Braves are prospect poor.

— He showed enough talent to really be intriguing to the Braves. (See Coppolella's comment above.)

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).