Dex Ponce: The Braves Are Bringing a Bandaid to a Knife Fight
The Braves finalized their Opening Day roster, and their answer to Spencer Strider is a guy they already DFA'd in December. That's the tweet.
The Braves finalized their Opening Day roster, and their answer to Spencer Strider is a guy they already DFA'd in December.
That's the tweet.
Osvaldo Bido has been claimed or DFA'd by six teams this offseason. Six. The Braves' rotation has five healthy starters. Bido has been rejected more times than the rotation has arms. Career 5.07 ERA. Had a nice spring with the Yankees — 1.29 ERA in 7 innings — and New York still said no thanks.
This is the depth chart behind Chris Sale, who turns 37 on Monday. Behind Reynaldo Lopez, who made one start all of 2025. Behind Grant Holmes, who rehabbed a partial UCL tear. Behind Bryce Elder, who's made more starts than anyone since 2023 and has never made an Opening Day roster until now.
I'm not saying the core isn't elite. Acuna's back. Baldwin looks like an MVP. Riley, Olson, Albies, Harris — that lineup might be the best since 2023.
But the best lineup in the NL East means nothing if your rotation is held together with waiver wire and prayers. Ellis counted seven bets the house is winning. I'm counting the days until the bullpen starts pitching the fifth inning.
I'm 68% sure this team wins 85 games and calls it progress.
Tell me I'm wrong.
Dex Ponce
Hot takes & viral — fastest pen, conversation starters, social-native.
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