New Nebraska signee Bubba Starling is still working through the monetary specifics of a potential contract with the Kansas City Royals franchise.
According to Huskers beat reporter Sean Callahan by way of the Kansas City Star, Starling is negotiating a roughly $2.5 million difference in contract money with the baseball organization.
Callahan tweets “KC Star reports this morning that Bubba Starling is looking for around $10 million and KC is currently around $7.5 million.
“To put $10 million in perspective, Stephen Strasburg got $15.1 million from Washington. Previous record was $10.5 million (Mark Prior).
“Dayton Moore (KC Senior VP-Baseball Operations/General Manager) on signing Bubba Starling: “I have not had any discussions. I don’t know where it’s going to go.”
Starling is currently on campus with his teammates for summer workouts, although how long he will be there still remains to be seen. During Big Ten Media Days, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini and running back Rex Burkhead said they’re prepared to enter 2011 in either situation. Starling was not present during Media Days.
“Just trying to keep baseball out of his head,” Burkhead said to HuskersExtra. “Just let him enjoy his experience right now. That’s his own decision. We’re not making it for him.”
Starling was drafted by the Royals as the fifth overall pick back in June. If Starling were to stick around for the Huskers, he would be in contention to be the second-string quarterback behind Taylor Martinez. The Cornhuskers are dangerously thin at the QB spot, with Cody Green moving on to Tulsa and Kody Spano moving on from football due to injuries.