Ponson: This Year's Batista?

As it currently stands, the rumor is that this is the Twins' 5-man rotation in Opening Day:

1. The Greatest Pitcher Who Ever Lived
2. Silva (For the love of God)
3. Ramon Ortiz
4. Ponson
5. Booooooooooooooooffffffff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haven't we seen this situation before? Let's see: Preternaturally gifted GM/coaching staff of threadbare team gives assurances to shakey veteran that he will start the season, despite the fact that the kids look hungry to prove their worth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for Sidney as much as the next guy, not least because I was indoctrinated in Catholic convictions like redemption blah, blah, blah, but it feels just like last year, when we struggled right out of the gate and nearly deep-sixed the season before we wised up, put Punto at third and ended our bargain-basement veteran experiment. If we get off to a woeful April, is Gardy going to pull the plug in time?

[Requisite Sidenote: Ahem. I'd like to state for the record that I'm pulling for the man currently pitching in the rotation's Number 2 spot, but all signs point to him being an impending trainwreck/strangulated hemorrhoid for us this season, too. Let's hope he touches the hem of Johan's uni and regains his gift.]

Time, alas, will only tell.