The Oakland Athletics met with Kyler Murray on Sunday with hopes of talking him out of entering the NFL Draft. Murray reportedly wanted a restructured deal.
It was initially reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN that MLB would be willing to “waive a rule that prevents teams from giving major league contracts to recently drafted players.” But as it turns out, that would not be necessary.
Clarifying the Murray news: MLB technically would not be waiving a rule for Kyler Murray. The rule prevents major league contracts for drafted players. Murray signed a minor league contract. A major league deal would be like him being selected onto the big league roster.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2019
During a meeting in Dallas today, the possibility of Oakland guaranteeing money in addition to Murray's $4.66 million signing bonus was raised, sources tell ESPN. To do so, Oakland would need to add Murray to its 40-man roster. He still could develop in the minor leagues.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2019
The next question would of course be, what would Murray want?
Rumors had swirled on Sunday that he wants $15 million from the A’s. But both Passan and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle later noted that this is not quite accurate.
I am told that $15 million figure being cited as Murray's request to A's is inaccurate (the figure is too high, source says), but the A's and Murray's representatives are working on trying something creative to accommodate him, thus today's meeting. MLB would have to OK.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 13, 2019
There’s an awful lot to sort through before Murray and the A’s reach a new deal. Oakland would need to be willing to give Murray whatever he wants. Murray is likely still at least two years away from the majors. Giving Murray a new deal when he’s still so far away from the majors would be far easier said than done — especially for a small market, small budget team.
Clearly, a lot would need to happen for it to even get to this.
But if Murray wants a new deal and the A’s are willing to give it to him, it would be well within the rules.