Inside Look - Big Time Jimmy Tims

To start this website, I'm going to do a little something that Kanks does but a little more in depth. In the upcoming posts are going to be inside looks of the respective teams in The Pretzel League... Some commentary may be worshiping and some may be... flattering... I don't know many of yall but I mean these comments with the greatest of respect (if that even means anything).

Big Time Jimmy Tims - Roster

C - Carlos Santana (Ind)
1B - Carlos Pena (TB)
2B - Gordon Beckham (CWS)
3B - Jose Lopez (Sea)
SS - Jose Reyes (NYM)
OF - Justin Upton (Ari)
OF - Adam Lind (Tor)
OF - B.J. Upton (TB)
UTIL - Aramis Ramirez (Cubs)
BN - Stephen Drew (Ari)
BN - Jason Heyard (Atl)
BN - Miguel Montero (Ari)
SP - Jamie Garcia (Stl)
SP - Colby Lewis (Tex)
P - Jose Contreras (Phi)
P - Tim Lincecum (SF)
P - Will Ohman (Bal)
RP - Chris Perez (Cle)
RP - David Aardsma (Sea)
BN - Johnny Cueto (Cin)
BN - Jason Vargas (Sea)
DL - Brett Anderson (Oak)
DL - Michael Gonzalez (Bal)

Stats: 1-R, 4-HR, 1-RBI, 12.5-SB, 1-AVG, 7.5-W, 2-SV, 7-Ks, 8-ERA, 4-WHIP... Total - 48 (14 of 14)

• First 3 Draft Picks: Justin Upton (1st), Tim Lincecum (2nd), and Adam Lind (3rd)
• Traded Adam Jones (Bal) for Max Scherzer (Det) and David Aardsma (Sea) on May 3rd
• Best Move: Carlos Santana - Waiver Wire Pick Up
• Worst Move: Mat Latos - Drop

After analyzing Big Time's transactions, draft, and where he's at now, I could sense the frustration from here. I know hindsight being 20/20, with Matt Holiday, Adrian Gonzalez, and MVP candidate Joey Votto picked in the 2nd round, the selection of Justin Upton (14 HR, 11 SBs, .256 Avg) comes out to be a so-so choice. Another crushing decision was letting Mat Latos go. Sure no one could have seen this coming but Latos has started 10-4, 2.45 ERA, and a WHIP below 1, thinking about the possibility of "what could be" if Big Time held onto him is tough. Lastly, with a lot invested on Adam Lind being drafted in the 3rd round, the 11 HR .207 Avg must be agonizing.

I liked Big Time's pick up of Carlos Santana nearly a month ago. With beginning the 2010 campaign without drafting a Catcher and scrambling to find stability in the position right after Miguel Montero was lost for almost 6 weeks for a right knee injury, Carlos Santana was a really solid pick up.

One of the bright spots in Big Time's roster is obviously his ability to steal bases. With BJ Upton (25) and Jose Reyes (19) leading the way, they may provide some trade bait for later in the season.

Teams Who Need SBs AND Has Run Support: Badonkadonks (14) and UR Not The Father (10)
Teams Who Need SBS AND Has a High AVG: The Reigning Champ (8.5) and Butter (11.5)

Final Projection: Obviously Big Time has a lot of work to do in order to crack the top half of the league but with the right trade, he may improve his chances. Although Adam Lind had a break out year in 2009, I don't think Big Time should hold his breath for him to get past .250 (.207 right now). Unfortunately, improving Rs and AVG will not be enough for him to compete. Big Time must improve by getting a couple of stable closers and power hitting (Hayward may not be enough). With the amount of work that needs to be done, I can't imagine Big Time Jimmy Tims breaking past 10th.

Next Inside Look - Luscious (13th place)