2013 New Jersey Kabutos Season

The 2013 New Jersey Kabutos Season begins on Monday May 27, 2013 at home against the Wyoming Oblongs.

25 Man

 * As of 7/26/13

2012-2013 Offseason Moves
10/1/12 - Picked up 1 year club option on RF Kevin Eucalyptus and 1 year club option on CF Craig Counsellman.

10/7/12 - Designated OF/UT Cloyster Clarke for assignment.

10/14/12 - Signed Virginia Beach Jellyfish SP Doug Tentacles to a 2 year deal.

10/15/12 - Declined to offer SP Josh Willingcapicola a contract extention. Willingcapicola instead signed with his former team, the Albequerque Turkeys.

11/2/12 - Traded SP/RP Muk Clark to the Totemsburgh Poles for AAA SP Pole Byrd.

11/3/12 RP Esmil Rojers signs with the Barrie Brios.

12/6/12 - Took part in a four team trade with the Indianapolis Republicans and the Tijuana Bordercrossers that sent SS Jimenez Cabrera to Indianapolis and OF prospect Mike Sturgeon to Hawaii. In return, New Jersey recieved SS Blake Erie Monster and SP Raymundo Lopez from Hawaii.

12/23/12 - Traded RP Maple Tree to New York for AAA OF Nick Swoosher.

12/28/12 - Signed San Antonio Something RP Guy I. Forgot to a 1 year deal.

1/3/13 - Signed Pittsburgh Accents RP Kazooie Frontpack to a 2 year deal. Frontpack pitched for New Jersey from 2002-2006.

2/2/13 - Took part in a three team trade with the New York Water Baseball Players and the Barrie Brios that sent 2B Scott Silos, SP Dontrelle Chillis, and C Lou Earthling to New York. New Jersey recieved 2B Lee Doffman from New York, and C/IF/OF Yan Stopmes and RP Esmil Rojers from Barrie.

3/15/13 - Added RP Rich Precipice to the projected 25-man roster after RP Frank Herrmanntwo was placed on the DL for the entire 2013 season.

4/8/13 - Signed SP/RP former top prospect Jim Ubaldoñez to the AAA roster with an invite to spring training.

4/25/13 - Drafted 1B/3B Justin Churchbench in the first round of the PWBL Draft. He was optioned to AAA.



Literally Spring Training Invitees
The following are players that have been invited to Literally Spring Training for the New Jersey Kabutos. Literally Spring Training begins as always on April11th (The Chilleventh), and the first game takes place on Monday, April 29th.

^Deontes players currently injured.

"Roster Battles" said Brad.
There are not many, eha eha, roster battles for the Kabutos, as the team is expecting a strong season. Only the reserve outfielder and one bullpen spot are largely unknown. Some positions, such as backup catcher, backup infielder, and starting shortstop are not official locks, but will likely be soon. Catcher

Chad Turban has been named the opening day starter. Yan Stopmes has leg up on Cincinnatus Blake for the backup role, and he can also play other positions.

Infield

First baseman Nick Hug, Second Baseman Lee Doffman, and Third Baseman Omanyte Davis have all been named starters. Shortstop  Blake Erie Monster has all but been declared a starter, barring a disasterous spring. The other possibilities are Blaine Flamingo, Outlet Phelps, and Jon Cechner. Veteran Leaky Bucket has been given the opportunity to make the team, primarily as a DH or First Baseman should something happen to Hug or Trentson. The GM isn't dumb enough to take up a roster spot otherwise, unlike the Indians with Jason Giambi.

Blaine Flamingo has the highest chances of making the team as a backup infielder, with Justin Caseoneofthestartersgetsinjured also a viable infielder that is guaranteed to be on the team. Cechner, Phelps, and Bucket all have outside chances at this role.

Outfield

The three outfield positions are set, with Michael Chansey in Left, Craig Counsellman in Center, and Kevin Eucalyptus in Right. Tim Fedron has the best chance at the backup outfield role, though Burton Ernie, Ivysaur McDade, and Chris McJameson can make the team with strong springs. Justin Case...etc. can play the outfield as well.

Designated Hitter

Richard Trentson has been named starting Designated Hitter.

Starting Brotation

The strong starting rotation is set, with Clyde Duncan, Warp Pipe Lopez, Nick Ruggles, Doug Tentacles, and Samuel Bradams.

Bullpen

Closer Trot Perez, provided he is back for Bropening Day, will be the team's closer. Owl Flowers, Kazooie Frontpack, and Esmil Rojers are all locked into roster spots. Lance Camino will likely make the team, but it is not yet official. Since Frank Herrmanntwo's injury, Rich Precipice has had the lead for the long relief spot, with David Fairfax and Kaz Scottmir having an outside shot. The last spot is between Guy I. Forgot, Vinnie Cilantro, and Coinflip K. Matsuzaka. Interestingly, if Perez has not returned to the roster by Opening Day, than only one player from 2012's Season Opening Bullpen also be on 2013's edition: Esmil Rojers.

For Fun: Kabutos 2012 Opening Day Bullpen and what came of them

Long Relief - Frank Herrmanntwo - injured in March and out for 2013 season

Accardo - Dan Tirer - Sucked, DFA'd in June 2012, replaced by AAA callup Lance 'Camino

Matchup - Esmil Rojers - Signed with Barrie during 12-13 offseason, traded back to NJ in Doffman deal.

Matchup - Tony Gulp - Signed with Albequerque in December 2012

Setup (7) - Grimer Daniels - Likely career ending injury during 4th game of 2012 season, replaced by Flowers

Setup (8) - Maple Tree - Asked for a trade after being replaced by Owl Flowers midseason as setup man, traded to New York in December 2012.

Closer - Trot Perez - Might be back by opening day. Early June at the latest.

Bropening Day Roster
The following is the lineup: (not the batting order)

C Chad Turban

1B Nick Hug

2B Lee Doffman

SS Blake Erie Monster

3B Omanyte Davis

LF Michael Chansey

CF Craig Counsellman

RF Kevin Eucalyptus

DH Hakeem Nates

The Following is the bench:

C/IF Yan Stopmes

IF Blaine Flamingo

OF Tim Fedron

UT Justin Caseoneoftheect

The following is the starting rotation:

SP Clyde Duncan

SP Warp Pipe Lopez

SP Nick Ruggles

SP Doug Tentacles

SP Samuel Bradams

The Following is the bullpen:

LR Yuengling Huff

AC Lance Camino

MU Guy I. Forgot

MU Esmil Rojers

SU Kazooie Frontpack

SU Owl Flowers

CP Trot Perez

The Following is the remainder of the 39 man roster

C/IF Diglett O'Doul

IF Outlet Phelps

IF Justin Churchbench

IF Luigi Rizzo

OF Burton Ernie

OF Torii Gatherer

OF Brad Ahmadshaw

SP Jim Ubaldonez

SP Ray Commamanta

SP Kaz Scottmir

RP Rich Precipice

RP Vinnie Cilantro

RP Paul Merfest

The following is the 15 day DL (included on 39 man roster)

DH Richard Trentson

The following is the 45 day DL

SP/RP Coinflip K. Matzuzaka

RP Frank Herrmanntwo

The preceding was the roster