The Bubba Starling Thread

[wilber24]

The OWH is saying that Bubba will be in Lincoln tomorrow (Sunday) and start working out with the team on Monday. FWIW

Just the fact that he shows up, moves the chances he stays to .002%

[rawhide]

thas wat i'm talkin' about

 

 

now at 00.012% and climbin'

 

 

GBR

[corncraze]

They've gone quiet since the draft, which is the right thing to do. They shouldn't negotiate in public, and they probably don't even want to appear to be using Nebraska as a negotiating tactic.

 

Personally, I think that if Starling does come up to Nebraska this weekend, that tells me that there is at least some possibility he will remain in Nebraska. Most Nebraska fans see Starling's move to Nebraska as a transparent bluff, and I'm sure the Royals would see through it too. The only way that tactic works is if it's not entirely a bluff.

 

I still think it's about a 98% chance he goes to Kansas City, but I do think that if he moves up to Nebraska, if he gets settles in, starts working out with the team, and has a month to make friends on the team or around campus, familiarize himself with the culture of the program and the University - it could get interesting. This is an 18-year-old kid, and while most of us can't dream of turning down 6 million dollars, money may not be the most important thing to him, and he may be confident enough in his own abilities to think that he can get the same amount of money a few years down the road. He may think he doesn't have to choose one life or the other - he may want to have both.

 

Still, I think it's about a 98% chance he goes to the Royals.

 

I think you're right. And I don't know that, if this is a negotiating tactic, that it has even a remote chance of being successful.

 

This is how I see it:

 

• The deal Bubba signs is being negotiated right now, via direct contact and via his actions/statements. Everything he says and does is being analyzed by the Royals' front office. In order to get the contract and the bonus he (or Boras) wants, the Royals must believe Nebraska is a viable option.
  
• Bubba and his folks have publicly stated that there is a strong chance he'll come to Nebraka, and they have set a date for his arrival - today. That sets in motion a chain of events which MUST HAPPEN, or the negotiation benefit of this ploy (if that's what it is) is lost.
  
• Bubba must show up to Nebraska, today or very near today.
  
• Bubba must participate in Fall Camp, and not do it half-assed. He must go full out, as if he's trying to win the starting spot or, failing that, as if he truly means to play football here.
  
• The Royals will not want their multi-million dollar investment, and their top-ten pick, injured in Fall Camp. Therefore they are likely to put restrictions on Bubba's activity in Lincoln.
  
• If Bubba flouts those restrictions, he stands to lose millions in signing bonuses or in salary.
  
• If he does abide by the Royals' restrictions, however, he sends a clear indication that he's likely playing pro ball, again weakening his bargaining position. He also runs the significant risk of alienating Pelini by listening to the Royals rather than Bo.
  
• If he has zero intention of coming to Nebraska at all, the risk to his body physically by participating in Fall Camp is ridiculous. But by committing himself to come here, he must or the ploy fails.
  

 

I don't see anything he gains by coming here that the Royals can't easily undermine by setting a few simple rules on his behavior here. His hand is too-easily forced by the Royals simply by choosing to come to Nebraska.

Thing is, how do we find out what restrictions the Royals gave Bubba?

[knapplc]

Thing is, how do we find out what restrictions the Royals gave Bubba?

 

I don't think the specifics are that important, you know? I think if we don't see Bubba throwing passes in pads, or even out on the field warming up with the team, that'll tell us all we need to know.

 

Maybe they won't even let him participate in S&C, and if that's the case then we really know what his decision will be.

 

I think we start getting some clarity pretty soon, myself.

[JoeHuskers!]

They've gone quiet since the draft, which is the right thing to do. They shouldn't negotiate in public, and they probably don't even want to appear to be using Nebraska as a negotiating tactic.

 

Personally, I think that if Starling does come up to Nebraska this weekend, that tells me that there is at least some possibility he will remain in Nebraska. Most Nebraska fans see Starling's move to Nebraska as a transparent bluff, and I'm sure the Royals would see through it too. The only way that tactic works is if it's not entirely a bluff.

 

I still think it's about a 98% chance he goes to Kansas City, but I do think that if he moves up to Nebraska, if he gets settles in, starts working out with the team, and has a month to make friends on the team or around campus, familiarize himself with the culture of the program and the University - it could get interesting. This is an 18-year-old kid, and while most of us can't dream of turning down 6 million dollars, money may not be the most important thing to him, and he may be confident enough in his own abilities to think that he can get the same amount of money a few years down the road. He may think he doesn't have to choose one life or the other - he may want to have both.

 

Still, I think it's about a 98% chance he goes to the Royals.

 

I think you're right. And I don't know that, if this is a negotiating tactic, that it has even a remote chance of being successful.

 

This is how I see it:

 

• The deal Bubba signs is being negotiated right now, via direct contact and via his actions/statements. Everything he says and does is being analyzed by the Royals' front office. In order to get the contract and the bonus he (or Boras) wants, the Royals must believe Nebraska is a viable option.
  
• Bubba and his folks have publicly stated that there is a strong chance he'll come to Nebraka, and they have set a date for his arrival - today. That sets in motion a chain of events which MUST HAPPEN, or the negotiation benefit of this ploy (if that's what it is) is lost.
  
• Bubba must show up to Nebraska, today or very near today.
  
• Bubba must participate in Fall Camp, and not do it half-assed. He must go full out, as if he's trying to win the starting spot or, failing that, as if he truly means to play football here.
  
• The Royals will not want their multi-million dollar investment, and their top-ten pick, injured in Fall Camp. Therefore they are likely to put restrictions on Bubba's activity in Lincoln.
  
• If Bubba flouts those restrictions, he stands to lose millions in signing bonuses or in salary.
  
• If he does abide by the Royals' restrictions, however, he sends a clear indication that he's likely playing pro ball, again weakening his bargaining position. He also runs the significant risk of alienating Pelini by listening to the Royals rather than Bo.
  
• If he has zero intention of coming to Nebraska at all, the risk to his body physically by participating in Fall Camp is ridiculous. But by committing himself to come here, he must or the ploy fails.
  

 

I don't see anything he gains by coming here that the Royals can't easily undermine by setting a few simple rules on his behavior here. His hand is too-easily forced by the Royals simply by choosing to come to Nebraska.

 

 

The way I see it, with going off of your statement here is if they put restrictions on him and he decides not to listen to them, they threaten his bonus... all he has to do is keep practicing hard, they can cut his bonus all they want, and he will show them that he is perfectly happy playing Football... the closer Aug. 15th gets.... the more likely they fold to his demands, just to get him there..... or he likes hangin with all his new teammates so much that he stays in Lincoln..... Wishful thinking on my part, but we will see

[Fuzzy]

That's what I'm counting on right there. That he likes Lincoln more than Kansas city and wants to stay in Lincoln. It's a long shot sure, but its the only shot we really have to keeping Bubba in Lincoln.

[knapplc]

That's what I'm counting on right there. That he likes Lincoln more than Kansas city and wants to stay in Lincoln. It's a long shot sure, but its the only shot we really have to keeping Bubba in Lincoln.

 

I think that's a losing battle for Lincoln. We're an overgrown college town. But the battle won't be between Lincoln and Kansas City, it'll be between Lincoln and millions of dollars. The best chance Bubba has of getting to K.C. are in a year or two. He's not going to the majors any time soon.

[wilber24]

I think the fact that he didnt sign up for classes tips the scales towards him leaning pro

I have said all along he will not play football, but the fact he would even drive up here is puzzling.

 

99.99% of us have been saying he'll play baseball all along, for the record. And the trip to Nebraska is most likely a negotiating tactic aimed at the Royals. That makes the most sense.

I still agree with you, BUT if he actually shows up in Lincoln, well, think about it!

[wilber24]

Anybody seen him yet? I guess Kevin Sjuts-channel 10 said he was seen coming out of memorial stadium with family.

[wilber24]

Anybody seen him yet? I guess Kevin Sjuts-channel 10 said he was seen coming out of memorial stadium with family.

Plus Dad was smiling

[rawhide]

yup smilin' is good and with a personal tour of our run 'o' the mill facilities who knows

 

they shoulda givin' Dad a ipad with a red N protective cover just sayin'

 

 

GBR

[95huskers]

1 year from today BUBBA will be in this futures ALL STAR game!

[HuskerNMO]

Moved into the dorms today, camp opens August 6th, August 15th is d-day.

[wilber24]

Just surprised he came!

[corncraze]

Just surprised he came!

Don't get too excited, chances are this is only a negotiating tactic. Don't mean to be rude, but haven't you read any of the other comments on this board?!