Kyler

Murray

The Heisman Trophy winner issued a statement on Monday saying that he is “firmly and fully committing my life to becoming an NFL quarterback.” Rosenthal writes that while the statement “caught the A’s off-guard,” the club was always “willing to allow Murray to participate in both the combine and draft and gather as much information as possible before making his decision.” It still seems highly unlikely that Murray will play baseball, but it’s always possible he flops at the combine and his draft stock tumbles, perhaps leading to a change of heart. The A’s also have the ability to offer Murray a major league contract with no financial restrictions, whereas an NFL team would be limited in what they can offer.

In other words, he has decided to focus on the NFL rather than pursue his career in MLB. It’s a big disappointment for MLB and the Athletics, but it appeared increasingly likely he was moving in this direction after winning the Heisman Trophy and declaring for the NFL draft. He’s expected to be a first-round pick. Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, Murray will return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million signing bonus the A’s gave him last year, as well as forfeiting $3.16 million due on March 1. He’ll be placed on the restricted list and the A’s will retain his rights should he change his mind down the road. However, Oakland will not receive a compensatory pick for losing him. Murrary was selected ninth overall by Oakland in last year’s draft.

The A’s selected Murray with the ninth pick of the first round in last year’s draft. He went on to win the Heisman Trophy and recently declared for the NFL draft, where he is expected to become a first-round selection. Even if he does report to spring training he could still ultimately choose football. The A’s have been given permission to offer Murray a major-league contract to entice him to stick with baseball. The A’s will not receive any draft-pick compensation if Murray opts to play football, although they will retain his rights should he ever return to baseball.

The biggest surprise of the draft so far. Murray not only is an athletic outfielder, he’s the presumed starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. He has plus-plus speed, and there’s above-average raw power in his right-handed bat. He’s still raw because he hasn’t focused on the sport, but there’s huge upside. This is certainly very interesting, and we’ll have to see if Murray plays both sports going forward.

The deal will reportedly pay Murray close to $5 million. The allocated-funds dedicated to the ninth pick -- where Murray was drafted -- are $4.761 million, so it sounds like he’s getting close to that mark, if not more. The deal will also allow Murray to play football for one more year at Oklahoma, where he’s expected to replace Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback this year.

Murray was selected by the Athletics with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, but there has been growing speculation that he might try out the NFL after a brilliant junior season as the quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners. “Kyler has every intention of fulfilling his agreement with the A’s and he’s grateful he has had the chance to pursue his college goals,” Boras told the San Francisco Chronicle. “He will be in spring training with the A’s.” The Heisman Trophy finalist got a $4.66 million signing bonus from Oakland in June and it would have to be paid back in full if he opted to pursue a professional career in football. Murray will be under center for Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinal on December 29 against Alabama. It could be his very last football game.

This is a procedural move that was expected and doesn’t necessarily shut the door on Murray playing baseball. However, while the A’s reportedly could entice the Heisman Trophy winner into choosing baseball by giving him an MLB contract, the smart money remains on him ultimately picking football. Murray is expected to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

The deadline to enter the NFL Draft for underclassmen is Monday, and Murray -- a redshirt junior -- is expected to do so after winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Oklahoma to a spot in the four-team college football playoff. It’s even more likely knowing that he won’t violate his contract with the Athletics that was signed after being drafted with the ninth pick last June. It’s been widely reported that Murray is leaning towards football over baseball, but the recent speculation that the Athletics could give Murray an MLB contract evens the playing field, a bit. Stay tuned.

The Athletics did everything in their power to make their final pitch to Murray, who is expected to formally declare for the NFL draft on Monday. The Athletics made Murray the ninth overall selection in last June’s draft, which included a $4.66 million signing bonus that Murray would have to repay if he decides to pursue football instead of baseball.

It doesn’t sound like Murray’s motivations toward entering the NFL draft are completely financially motivated, but it doesn’t hurt the A’s chances of keeping the ninth overall pick from last June’s draft if they can give him a major league deal right out of the gate. Expect this situation to gain clarity when Murray makes his decision on Monday.