Topes roster becoming more clear

The Rockies optioned infielder Charlie Culberson to the minor leagues and sold catcher Audry Perez to the Orioles today, so the triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes roster is becoming more clear. Cactus League games conclude Wednesday. Minor league exhibition games conclude Saturday morning.

Here's a look at the possible Isotopes roster, with the usual caveats that I'm not in Arizona watching the minor league games, this is strictly my opinion, and nothing is coming from the Rockies or Isotopes:

Catchers (2): Ryan Casteel (who can play first base) and Dustin Garneau will be the catchers, unless something drastic occurs.

Infielders (5 or 6): Ben Paulsen, Culberson, Cristhian Adames, Angelys Nina and Omar Quintanilla appear solid. The sixth spot could be Rafael Ynoa (if he doesn't make the Rockies) or Jose Rivera. Or they go with five infielders because most of the outfielders can play infield too.

Outfielders (4 or 5): Kyle Parker, Josh Vitters, Tim Wheeler, Tim Smalling and Jeremy Barfield. The last I heard, Roger Bernadina's wrist was still tender and he'd start the season back at extended spring training. If Bernadina is healthy, perhaps Barfield goes to double-A New Britain.

Starting pitchers (5): Chris Rusin, Aaron Laffey, John Lannan, Jair Jurrgens, Chad Bettis and Jon Gray are all possibilities. You never know what clauses are in the contracts of the veterans that would impact where they go. It sounds like like Eddie Butler and David Hale will be on the disabled list. Tyler Anderson and Tyler Chatwood will definitely start the season on the DL. Also keep in mind that Rockies ace Jorge De La Rosa could be making 1-2 rehab starts for the Topes early in the season.

Relief pitchers (7 or 8): Jairo Diaz, Jorge Rondon, Tommy Kahnle, Gus Schlosser, Yohan Flande, Kenny Roberts and Kraig Sitton are all strong candidates. Scott Oberg had an impressive spring and remains in big-league camp. Unless he beats out Rafael Betancourt  for the final spot in the Rockies bullpen, he's in Albuquerque. Don't sleep on Austin House, the former New Mexico Lobo either.

The biggest problem with my predictions for the pitchers is that I'm totally neglecting six minor league free agents: Leuris Gomez, Jason Gurka, Jason Lowey, Brett Marshall, Justin Miller and Jose Ortega. It's nothing personal. I'm sure a few of them will be on the Topes. I just don't know where they all fit.

Topes pitching staff taking shape

It's 13 days from the start of the Colorado Rockies season and 16 days from the start of the Albuquerque Isotopes opener. The pitching staffs for both teams are becoming more clear, although a couple interesting decisions loom.

A flurry of transactions over the last week have shaped the outlook. The Rockies, in a surprise move, released Jhoulys Chacin last weekend. Minor league free agent Buddy Bosher was also released. Cole White, a former New Mexico Lobo who I was penciling onto the Topes bullpen, decided to retire due to a shoulder injury.

The Rockies rotation now starts with Kyle Kendrick, Tyler Matzek and Jordan Lyles. Then it gets interesting. Chacin's release opens one spot. An injury to ace Jorge De La Rosa will likely start him on the disabled list and opens another spot temporarily.

Based on zero inside knowledge, I'm predicting the two spots will be filled by David Hale and Christian Bergman.

How to avoid being a douchebag while watching March Madness

The headlines says it all and I love lists. So here we go.

1. Don't complain that "my bracket is busted" on the first day, especially during the morning round of games, unless all of your Final Four picks were eliminated. Everybody probably had the same favorite advancing deep. It's a long tournament. Don't be a douche.

2. Stop complaining about how hard it is to find Tru TV. It's pretty easy actually. It's on basic cable. You have an on-screen guide. Use it. Or google it. Don't complain the games are on Tru TV. Thanks to CBS/Turner, every second of every game can be watched in its entirety. It was not always like this. It wasn't that long ago you were at the mercy of some CBS suit deciding which games to watch, and when to cut to another game. Rejoice at the world we live in. Don't be a douche.

3. If you're going to hate Duke, that's fine. But don't complain that "Duke always wins." They've actually been upset in the first round two of the last three years. They've only been to the Final Four once in the last 10 years. It's still perfectly acceptable to hate Duke. But know your facts. Don't be a douche.

4. If you're at a bar or casino, and you see a group of fans seated together who are doing the same rituals they do at home games, don't make fun of them. It's March. It's their college. It's fun. Don't be a douche.

5. If you correctly predicted a double-digit seed for an upset in the first round, you're only allowed to brag about it if you made that pick on all your brackets. If you submitted four brackets, and had that 14 seed losing in three of the four, don't take credit for your genius pick. Don't be a douche.