Stephen Strasburg Gets Record $15.1-Million Deal:

Sometimes $15 million is enough to convince a young man to pursue his dream. Drinks on Stephen Strasburg. The Washington Nationals signed the San Diego State pitcher by offering him more money than any draft pick in history. It was almost $5 million more than the Cubs gave Mark Prior in 2001. The numbers are eye-popping on Strasburg who has hit 100+ on the radar gun. He was 13-1 with 195 strikeouts and a 1.32 earned run average this past season. "It's a big day for the Washington Nationals franchise," interim GM Mike Rizzo said. "He's the most coveted player in the history of the draft. He's chomping at the bit to get on the mound." Said Strasburg: "It feels awesome." But Prior, and a host of others, is the cautionary tale here. The Cubs never got their money's worth from their draft pick as shoulder trouble curtailed Prior's career. The Nationals, who did not sign pitcher Aaron Crow, their No. 1 pick last year, had until midnight Monday to get Strasburg. (Photo by Lenny Ignelzi, AP) Joked team president Stan Kasten: "We didn't even need that last minute." But who will be laughing this time next season? Strasburg's talent says he'll be a star. The history of hard-throwing top picks says don't book that bet.