Football or baseball? Murray in play for both

As expected, Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft on Monday, setting up a high-stakes decision for the Oakland Athletics’ 2018 first-round pick, who won the Heisman Trophy as Oklahoma’s quarterback this past fall.

Murray is required to report to spring training Feb. 15 after getting a nonroster invitation to Oakland’s major-league camp. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that A’s executives, along with MLB marketing personnel, met with the outfielder in Dallas this past weekend to discuss “something creative” that would keep him playing baseball.

At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Murray is undersized for a typical NFL quarterback, but his performance while leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff has many scouts projecting him as a firstround selection in April.

With his name now in the hat for the draft, Murray’s final decision probably looms within the next four weeks, before Oakland’s Feb. 15 reporting date and the NFL scouting combine, which begins 15 days later. Leaving spring training to go to the combine would require an amendment of Murray’s baseball contract, which the A’s are open to.

Plus, beyond the issue of needing MLB approval for such a contractual amendment, there is the widespread belief that playing quarterback in the modern-day NFL doesn’t leave much time to be entertaining another professional sport — especially one Murray hasn’t played consistently since high school.

The 21-year-old played 78 games across two seasons at Oklahoma, hitting .296 with 10 home runs in 51 games last spring. The first athlete to play in both the Under Armour All-America football and baseball games, the Allen, Texas, product has leverage over Oakland and the MLB since his Heisman campaign drove up his market value.

Which is why, during Sunday’s meetings with Murray, the A’s upped the ante, with their “something creative” plan including a major-league contract that would place the outfielder on the team’s 40-man roster. Dallas TV station WFAA also reported that Murray’s price demand to forgo the NFL draft is $15 million, a mark disputed by the San Francisco Chronicle’s report.

Baseball has the advantage in terms of career longevity and ultimate earning potential via guaranteed contracts, but football can offer Murray the potential to earn much more up front. If he’s selected in the first round, he’d probably earn a contract with more guaranteed money than his $4.66 million signing bonus for baseball — not to mention the fact he would immediately be the face of an NFL franchise, and not grinding away in the minor leagues.

A major-league contract — which would also require MLB approval — would increase Murray’s payday, while also fasttracking him to a potential September call-up or a shot at the bigleague roster in spring 2020. Even with his considerable lack of baseball experience comparative to other top prospects, and the steep learning curve that’s to be expected, his glove and speed could present him with an opportunity when rosters expand.

Should Murray choose football over baseball, he would have to repay his signing bonus to Oakland. Although the A’s wouldn’t get a compensatory pick in the June draft if Murray does elect for pads over bats, they would retain his baseball rights.

Spread sets or stealing bases? Touchdowns or home runs? As Murray deliberates, let the debate continue.