Saturday Open Thread: Your Opening Day Rotation

Since the weekends are sooooooo interesting, I’ll open it up to y’all for the rest of the day, unless newsy news occurs.

Question: What’s your opening day starting rotation for the 2009 defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies? As in, what’s the rotation you want?

A: Had to write that preceding part. Always.

B: Keep in mind salaries — both expected and projected. And keep in mind the other holes the Phils will likely fill.

C: Obviously Cole Hamels is your opening day starter, and Brett Myers is in there. So is Joe Blanton. The question is “who fills the final two spots?” Don’t give me any “Kendrick/Carrasco/Happ” business. Pick one. And don’t give me any “Lowe/Burnett/Moyer” business. Give me five names, and how the Phils will get those new names on the roster, if that’s the case.

My pick, just to start the fun, is:

Cole Hamels / Brett Myers / Jon Garland / Joe Blanton / JA Happ

It seems Moyer wants more than the $5.5M guaranteed, and $7M earned in 2008. I don’t want to bring Moyer back for more than $7M. Exactly $7M? Sure. We’ll talk. Meanwhile, Jon Garland? He might be good for a 4.00 ERA in the National League, and he can come in for less than the $14M or so (per year) he’s expected to land. I don’t know why, but I’m wary about Derek Lowe, and I don’t want any part of AJ Burnett, especially for four years. Garland is as durable as Lowe (made all his starts since 2002) and while not as effective, has the stuff necessary to succeed in Philly.

Happ, meanwhile, would beat Carrasco and Kendrick for the final starter spot, with Carrasco waiting in the wings once Myers departs in 2010.

Now, you go.