1. Pass on Kimbrel. Believe in Kyle Wright.
I have a proposal. Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel is nearing a decision to sign coming out of a longer-than-expected stint in free agency. With the Braves already struggling with their payroll and needing a break from playing in player markets, especially considering the luxury tax, I think there is a reason to believe in current minor-leaguer Kyle Wright. Wright started three games this season for Atlanta before being sent back down to AAA Gwinnett. He never gave up a run in his first inning of work, though when stretched later in games, he was proven ineffective, ending up with two losses and a no-decision in his starts. Putting Wright in as a closer in the 9th would fill the void of Arodys Vizcaino having season-ending surgery and take away the need for AJ Minter to blow games. Wright has filthy stuff. Let him be great.
2. Keep Inciarte out of the leadoff (for now).
For a long time, I have believed that the Braves coaching staff is too reactive. They love rewarding hitters or demoting struggling players way too late. Ender Inciarte has struggled this season, and his mentality as a leadoff hitter has been effectively shot, mostly as a result of not hitting well against his assigned right-handed pitchers. Ozzie Albies is a switch hitter, and consistency in a lineup does good for team chemistry. I think Snitker should leave Inciarte towards the bottom and make Albies an every day leadoff. Let his numbers on both sides improve. You just gave him seven years, let him earn them.
3. Keep Camargo as an X Factor.
The Braves have one of the most talented benches in all of baseball. With the utility and clutch exuded by Charlie Culberson and Johan Camargo, as well as the reserves of the alternating McCann, Flowers, and Matt Joyce, there is a lot of offense to be had. Camargo had a stellar half after the All-Star Game in 2018. He has continued that into this year despite sharing time at 3rd base with new addition Josh Donaldson, but his ability should not be depleted by starting him quite regularly. He has said that he is proud of his role on the team, already delivering in multiple circumstances this season. Unless Donaldson goes down, Camargo is best served as the secret weapon that the Braves can pull out in a time of need.
Though the Braves are still very young and coachable, there is a lot of room to improve to build this core as a championship team. I believe these fixes could make a feared team in the National League East and could prove decisive in this season.
