The 30 Opening Day starters aren't the 30 best pitchers in the game, but their managers do consider them the best arms currently available. Here's a list of the pitchers who got the Opening Day nod this year and how their current teams acquired them (note that many have since signed extensions that delayed their arrival on the free agent market):
Draft Picks (12)
- Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – Selected in the first round of the 2009 draft (1st overall).
- Justin Verlander, Tigers – Selected in the first round of the 2004 draft (2nd overall).
- Ricky Romero, Blue Jays – Selected in the first round of the 2005 draft (6th overall).
- Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – Selected in the first round of the 2006 draft (7th overall).
- Tim Lincecum, Giants – Selected in the first round of the 2006 draft (10th overall).
- Jered Weaver, Angels – Selected in the first round of the 2004 draft (12th overall).
- Yovani Gallardo, Brewers – Selected in the second round of the 2004 draft.
- Jon Lester, Red Sox – Selected in the second round of the 2002 draft.
- Josh Johnson, Marlins – Selected in the fourth round of the 2002 draft.
- Jake Arrieta, Orioles – Selected in the 5th round of the 2007 draft.
- James Shields, Rays – Selected in the 16th round of the 2000 draft.
- Tommy Hanson, Braves – Selected in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft.
Free Agent Signings (8)
- Kyle Lohse, Cardinals – Signed a free agent contract worth $4.25MM in March, 2008.
- Ryan Dempster, Cubs – Signed a free agent contract worth $52MM over four years in November, 2008.
- C.C. Sabathia, Yankees – Signed a free agent contract worth $161MM over seven years in December, 2008.
- Colby Lewis, Rangers – Signed a free agent contract worth $5MM over two years in January, 2010.
- Brandon McCarthy, Athletics – Signed a free agent contract worth $1MM in December, 2010.
- Carl Pavano, Twins – Signed a free agent contract worth $16.5MM over two years in January, 2011. The Twins originally traded for him in 2009, but Pavano has since hit free agency.
- Bruce Chen, Royals – Signed a free agent contract worth $9MM over two years in November, 2011.
- Erik Bedard, Pirates – Signed a free agent contract worth $4.5MM for one year in December, 2011.
Trades (7)
- John Danks, White Sox – Acquired from the Rangers in the December, 2006 trade that sent McCarthy to Texas.
- Johan Santana, Mets – Acquired from the Twins in a February, 2008 trade that sent Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey to Minnesota.
- Justin Masterson, Indians – Acquired from the Red Sox in a July, 2009 trade that sent Victor Martinez to Boston.
- Roy Halladay, Phillies – Acquired from the Blue Jays in a December, 2009 trade that sent Michael Taylor, Travis d'Arnaud and Kyle Drabek to Toronto.
- Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks – Acquired from the Yankees in a December, 2009 trade involving the Yankees and Tigers.
- Edinson Volquez, Padres – Acquired from the Reds in a December, 2011 trade that sent Mat Latos to the Reds.
- Jeremy Guthrie, Rockies – Acquired from the Orioles in the February, 2012 trade that sent Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom to Baltimore.
International Free Agent Signings (3)
- Wandy Rodriguez, Astros – Signed as an amateur free agent in 1999.
- Felix Hernandez, Mariners – Signed as an amateur free agent in July, 2002.
- Johnny Cueto, Reds – Signed as an amateur free agent in 2004.
Opening Day! Woo! My favorite pitcher Roy Halladay already tossed 8 shutout innings to get his first win of the year! Good start to the season.
Helluva feat against that power house Pit team… lol Phils fans might want to be a bit more concerned they only scored 1 off Bedard.
That really isn’t the point. Regardless of who he was facing, he looked good, and it’s always great to kick the season off right.
Erik Bedard is starting…lol
he’s better than at least 7 or 8 others on this list
No mention of Hamels and Lee?
There are a couple of opening day starters you don’t even want on your team really, or 1 on the MLB roster at least and 1 on your team.
Yeah on Bedard.. Makes him 1 day closer to the DL list so he can join Harden.
Pretty sure that info’s incorrect for Ryan Dempster….what’s listed is just his last contract…not how/when the Cubs acquired him
He originally signed as a free agent with the Cubs in January of 2004, was granted free agency after the 2008 season, and resigned with the Cubs a few weeks later. So technically, the Cubs acquired him in 2008 (although it can go back to 2004).
Edit: Response to CubHope in regards to Ryan Dempster
moral of this story seems to be: draft well
Wouldn’t you consider the Colby Lewis signing an International acquisition? The guy had been playing in Japan for several years. Even though he was an original Rangers draft choice.
Ryan Dempster was acquired by the Cubs via free agency on 2004 after being released by the Reds
I like Colby Lewis getting the nod. By no means is he the best pitcher, or have the best stuff, but he knows how to go out and consistently keep Texas in games and get the job done.