OK, so pitcher Stephen Strasburg didn't get the outrageous $50 million deal his agent, Scott Boras, was boasting about during June's amateur baseball draft.

But, the Washington Nationals did pay an exorbitant sum of money for a player who has never appeared in a major league game, from a conference that is not exactly the greatest in the NCAA.

Strasburg had to settle for a $15.1 million deal stretched out over four years, the highest total ever heaped upon an amateur player, but as the Nationals will find out, nothing is a guarantee, even though the contract is.

Since contracts must be paid in full in the major leagues, Washington is on the hook for the amount unless he's traded. The Nats could use the help and Strasburg's numbers his senior year were eye-popping, but he's a tweaked elbow or Tommy John surgery away from fading away.

Boras was looking to use Strasburg to obliterate the record contract, believing he has the greatest thing since sliced bread in his grasp.

As a college player, the chances Strasburg could be pitching with the Nats this year are pretty good as a September call-up, but look for him to get significant innings next year.

The Nats are a major-league worst 43-79 entering Sunday and could use a quick shot of talent, or at least, some hope. They could have ill-afforded to lose the No. 1 overall pick, who could have re-entered the draft next season.

Strasburg's stock may have dipped some, unless he found a really competitive nonaffiliated league to play in and he could have lost some money, but the Nats would have lost more.

Now, with him under contract, all seems to be fine except the idea of doling out boatloads of money for unproven talent in the major leagues. Contracts like the one Strasburg received should go to those who have performed in the big leagues already.

Players signing out of high school or college should have to wait for a large payday, not have it given to them. Good luck entering the clubhouse and walking past major-league players who are making one-tenth of what you make.

No animosity there.

Until Major League Baseball tweaks its system of drafting, teams will be at the mercy of agents like Boras — and there are more out there as well — or players who feel they deserve it.

If I were the Nationals, I would have said to Boras: "OK, we'll give you the $15.1 million, but with one stipulation — we want a big return on our investment. If for any reason you get injured, you're career is over due to injury or you perform at a substandard level, we expect you as a valued team employee to pitch in.

"Maybe a home game or two, you could be at Gate C performing the role of ticket taker. Or, if we're down a man at the nacho stand, you're our guy. Maybe an usher's granddaughter is having her high school graduation or graduation party. I'm penciling you in as we speak.

""If you don't accept, good luck with next year's draft. Next June is a long way away."

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.