Jeff Samarja

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Jayson Stark is a highly respected baseball writer. He says that Samarja is one of the five best young players who caught the attention of just about all of the scouts in this year's spring training. Stark says Samarja can't miss making the majors unless an injury intervenes.

ASSUME for a moment that is the case. If he can stay healthy and make it to MLB at age 24, he has the potential for huge - and GUARANTEED - contracts for the next 10 - 15 years. From an economic perspective, baseball is a far better career path for him.

I repeated those exact words over and over to friends of mine who "just can't believe he's not playing in the NFL." Sure, being in the NFL is the sexier thing to do. But being a major league pitcher won't break your body down the way the NFL will. You only have to take the mound once or twice a week if you're a starter! Plus MLB careers last much longer than the NFL, so your earning window is open significantly longer. If flimsly Barry Zito with his 85-87mph fastball just got $126M guaranteed (bigger than ANY contract in the NFL), then I think Szamardja will be just fine. Smart move by him.