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Thursday Rockpile: Rockies final 25 looking clearer as Cactus League winds down.

Presswire

So, with the news looking more positive for Wilin Rosario making the final cut as a backup catcher to Ramon Hernandez by the day, and with Jamie Moyer continuing to solidify his spot at the bottom of the rotation, the Rockies final 25 man roster seems like it might be coming down to the final decisions of who will be the last in on the bench and in the bullpen.

With Rosario becoming the primary backup to Hernandez, Jordan Pacheco's role figures to be spread around other positions in the infield more rather than behind the plate, and subsequently, the Rockies seem like they might be leaning to keeping five outfielders, my guess right now would be Eric Young Jr. and Tyler Colvin, rather than Jonathan Herrera, who would be more redundant, when they break camp.

OFF TOPIC

As for the bullpen, Troy Renck at the end of an article about Dexter Fowler, suggested that Josh Outman and Esmil Rogers are making final pushes to wrest spots from their competition. The no option status for Rogers gives Colorado added incentive to keep him, so for better or worse, I'd write him in as a favorite for one of those last spots. Outman's LHP advantage is probably enough to warrant a close look as well. Finally, I'd guess that given his stuff, Edgmer Escalona takes the last slot, but he still might be a ticking bomb with his headgame. Be forewarned.

Troy Tulowitzki's father once gave up a looong home run to White Sox General Manager Ken Williams when the two were playing HS ball in California in the 1980's. Tulo reminded the Sox GM of his feat in a greeting when the Rockies played the White Sox at Talking Stick.

Juan Nicasio answered fan questions in an e-mail Q and A with the Denver Post. One of his more amazing career accomplishments, even with the recovery from last year's neck injury, is that he ever had a professional baseball career at all given that he didn't start playing the sport until he was 18.

Trying to make sense of the Dodgers somewhat nonsensical $2.15 billion sale price is a bit of a difficult stretch, but the bottom line is that Magic Johnson and the new ownership group has to see some opportunity to go out on that kind of financial limb.

"Usually you run a 10- or 20-year model to see how an investment can work. Some of my colleagues ran a 100-year model and were able to conclude that even if the Dodgers hit the average percentage growths that Major League Baseball has traditionally done - and that's something that really covers a lot of sins - it doesn't make sense."

That said, the winning bidders, including Magic, have a history of making the right calls on their investments, as the article concludes, there likely is some as of yet unseen boon that could help the Dodgers generate the kind of revenue to justify that expense. That said, the team is in a better position than most to profit off its brand and a prime location relative to Hollywood and Downtown L.A. also helps. Whether it's a regional sports network, an affiliated entertainment complex or some combination including these or other new revenue streams, it seems very likely that the new ownership group will be investing a lot of capital to get these non-baseball ancillary businesses off the ground. Will they have enough left over for the team? I wouldn't bet against it as to keep that brand strong they will need to spend for a winner, but it's something to watch. The bottom line is that the rest of the division should probably up their game now to get ready for this.