FloridaCubbie

Isn't that a really bad platoon split for an outfielder? I get it, it's a depth singing and he's not blocking anyone, I was just wondering if I was missing something greater.

I'm posting from ignorance, and not meaning to be rude, but is there any particular reason why you like him? He doesn't seem to hit for much AVG, Power, or get on base in the majors (.280/.338/.378) or the minors (.290/.352/.404). I know it's a AAA depth signing, but he seems kind of bad even for that. I mean he's at best a platoon player w/ a .750 ops vs RHP

I've been trying to for months, but the media, as well as at least one friend of mine, simply won't hear of it. The SEC is the best conference this year but it's not a runaway. Florida struggled with Bowling Green AND UL Lafayette, LSU struggled with Towson and their only "impressive" win is Florida, Mississippi State has been rolled by the only three teams they've played that could even be described as decent, Georgia also counts Florida as their only really impressive win, and hell, even Alabama is currently 1-1 against the teams they've played that will be ranked tomorrow. And they're the only conference that literally does not leave their conference footprint to play a game, ever (save the occasional Vanderbilt/Northwestern game). It drives me batty. I know it feels like UF has at least 2 losses, but they don't. Yes the SEC is overrated, but you can usually count on the SEC Champ being very good and well tested. In this system that's all you need for conference dominance.

So, do you think Florida is better yet? I'll admit the Titans are better than Jacksonville in exchange, but that feels like a cripple fight. At least you made it 2 weeks. Tennessee got into the top 25 and then immediately crapped out in the second half against an inferior Florida team. Fun stuff. I'm willing to admit that UF is just average, but worse than Tenn? Really? Not considerably so, but we pretty well controlled the first two and a half quarters of the game. We fell flat on our face from about the middle of the third on, but I do think Tennessee is a little bit better team than Florida. It's nitpicking, though, since I agree that neither team is better than average overall.

At least you made it 2 weeks. Tennessee got into the top 25 and then immediately crapped out in the second half against an inferior Florida team. Fun stuff. I'm willing to admit that UF is just average, but worse than Tenn? Really?

Rizzo the Bat.

rob was saying he wished we'd held onto him until closer to the deadline; you seem dissatisfied with the trade for reasons that aren't completely clear. And I stand by it. Bowden was most likely a Cub regardless of the outcome of this trade. I have to imagine the Cubs would have had waiver priority. So the outcome is really a PTBNL for picking up what looks to be almost the entirety of Byrds contract? Unless the PTBNL is some sort of "last year's draft pick" situation, I have to imagine this is just marginally better than letting Byrd play out the contract. With stakes like that, I'd rather roll the die and hope another team needs a CF closer to the deadline. I think the whole AL has wavier priority over the Cubs, or is that just the mid-season waiver deadline?

Ugueth Urbina.

Old news at this point, but Shahid Khan, a University of Illinois Graduate, has Purchased the Jaguars. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204449804577068521537649462.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Is that last bit accurate? Do we have any sort of ace pitcher, even if "ace" is very optimistic, that we can pencil into the rotation over the next couple of years? Without at least one of these can we really compete? Between Cashner, Whitenack, McNutt, Carpenter, and Archer there has been some heavy turnover in elite pitching talent in the last year to the point where I don't see us developing a true Ace soon. Other than C.C. opting-out are there any free agent prospects in the next few years?

So he is becoming Randall Simon? That's not worthless, but it's still disappointing.

Yea, that caught my eye as well, but I assume the fact that he was going to go to JU in the fall is a good sign in regards to his grades, test scores, and maturity.

The youngest player in the majors is currently leading the league in hits.

Go ahead and add Rich Hill to the former-Cub-turned-org-filler for the Red Sox list. Still though, every time I see his 2007 stat line it makes me pause and wonder if they didn't wreck his mental stability by bailing on that beautiful curve after 19 bad innings in '08.

I've Skyballer'd this from another forum: I'll miss you Joe.

Florida. We have lots of young talent, the junior lefty Walter Hodge is our veteran leadership from the point, Ma-REESE SPATES is our inside man. Nick Calathes heads up our Talented Freshman Class along with the tall (but still quite skinny) Parsons and Jai Lucas, The Next recruiting class is looking really good aswell. It's probaby a rebuilding year, but they still have a chance to be pretty good. Billy DEEE is back after an...interesting offseason. I'm expecting a 6-7 seed in the dance and hopefully a sweet sixteen, but I'd be plenty happy with a fourth consecutive SEC tounament championship.

I'm not going to deny that we are a college first state, but Jax is a small market with a huge stadium. Are we too small to deserve a team? maybe.

The pass rush is is suspect, as is the depth in the secondary, but the offense isn't giving them any time to catch their breath tonight.

They are not very good fans. IIRC they had their home opener blacked out this season. No, the home opener was aired--too bad they played like crap.

Join. The defense could/should be absolutely sick by next year.

What do you mean? Anywhere near as good as he thinks he is? What makes you say that? Yea that was my question as well. Ive heard nothing but great things regarding Soto. Blanco, and even Kendall have praised him for asking questions and wanting to learn. If he was some cocky rookie like Cubz99 is trying to make him out to be, I doubt hed be asking those 2 guys questions. I was kind of hoping that some one else had met him and had a different opinion of him than I do. I've seen him a few times when he was at Iowa, this year and last year. Last year he was one of the biggest jerks that I have ever met at a minor league game. By jerk I don't mean to me or anything, just had seats right next to the dugout, and he was rude to the kids at the park and the fans in general. He came off that he was very high on himself. It wasn't like he was having a terrific year or anything like that either. This year I met him with my kids and had the same impression. I may be a little old fashioned and like rooting/pulling for good guys or at least players that treat the fans right. In the past the I Cubs have had some prospects that have been terrific in that regard. Pie, Murton, Hill, Gallagher, Theriot, EPatt, Cedeno, Fontenot, all were great. It is possible that evertime I saw the I Cubs he was having a bad day. Personally I could care less if he or anybody on the team is a jerk if they are putting up great numbers and winning baseball games. The 2004 team was comprised of what alot of people said were a bunch of jerks, and that team has won more games than any Cub team in recent history. That is your prerogative. If you like rooting for people that treat kids and fans like crap, all the power to you. Some other people have a win at all cost approach, cheat, steal, be a jerk, etc. I just don't fall into that camp. I think it is a sad day, when the only concern in life is winning at all costs. One of my favorite aspects of professional baseball, is that the game is very fan friendly. Once again, I have yet to hear from anyone else that has met the guy. He may be a wonderful person, and just had several bad days. It's not life. It's baseball. The only concern of baseball players, while they are playing, should be to win.

yeah... florida fans aren't going to get a lot of sympathy around here. Slightly more than cardinals/bears fans. I understand, but it's still a crappy sports day.

awful day for sports.

I forgive them.

Time to switch to hard liquor.