Oakland Athletics: Kyler Murray signals his future is at QB

Kyler Murray has spurned the Oakland Athletics, and will focus on becoming an NFL quarterback instead.

The Oakland Athletics have lost their gamble on Kyler Murray.

The Heisman trophy winning Oklahoma quarterback, drafted ninth overall by the A’s in June, announced via his Twitter account Monday that he is committing himself to professional football. He also made it plain that he viewed his commitment as firm, final, and in keeping with his own aspirations.

The statement dashed hopes of A’s executives that Murray would be in spring training camp around or soon after the Feb. 15 opening date. Although Murray’s tweet included nothing specifically rejecting baseball, the fullness of his expressed commitment to football made it clear that he was foreclosing that idea.

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When he was drafted by the A’s, he received a $4.66 million bonus, of which $1.5 million has already been distributed. That was done with the understanding that Murray would play in college last season and then give up football.

However, nobody counted on Murray winning the Heisman Trophy and raising his NFL draft stock to potential first round level.

Although at just 5-9 and 180 pounds he does not come close to fitting the standard NFL quarterback profile, two of the best known draft analysts, ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, have both labeled Murray a first round pick.

That could mean big money to Murray. The 13th pick in last year’s NFL draft, Da’Ron Payne, signed a four-year, $14.4 million deal with the Washington Redskins.

Murray’s decision means he will be obligated to reimburse the A’s the $1.5 million he’s already received.

The A’s do not receive a compensation pick in this June’s draft, although they do retain rights to Murray in the event he changes his mind.

Billy Beane, Oakland’s chief of baseball operations, issued a statement Monday in which he described “ongoing conversations …as it relates to Kyler’s future.” But he added that, “I don’t have any answers for you.”

MLB.com’s Jane Lee reported that the Oakland Athletics were also considering adding Murray to the 40-man roster and offering him additional contractual inducements to win him back to baseball.