ATLANTA — The Braves could still end up signing Ha-Seong Kim to a multi-year contract. But they now have competition.
Kim became a free agent on Monday when he opted out of his $16 million option for the 2026 season. For the Braves, this simply erases the exclusive negotiating rights they held since they had claimed the former Gold Glove Award winner off waivers from the Rays on Sept. 1.
Securing a shortstop stands at the top of the Braves’ to-do list this offseason. Nick Allen provided them Gold Glove-caliber defense at the position, but he produced just a .535 OPS at the plate.
Though Kim produced a .700 OPS for the Padres in 2024 and then missed most of this past season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and back discomfort, he could be considered the best available shortstop, especially if Trevor Story exercises his option to remain with the Red Sox.
Bo Bichette’s offensive skills make him the most attractive free agent who could handle the shortstop position. But he ranked last among shortstops with a -10 fielding run value this year.
So, Kim’s agent Scott Boras seemingly has an opportunity to market his client as the best available free-agent shortstop. This could lead to the 30-year-old South Korea native gaining a multi-year deal that has an average annual value of at least $20 million.
Kim hit 11 home runs and constructed a .708 OPS while producing 5.0 bWAR for San Diego in 2022, then he hit 17 homers with a .749 OPS and a 5.4 WAR for the Padres in 2023. He primarily played second base that season and won his only Gold Glove Award.
The Braves claimed Kim off waivers with the hope that his experience during this past season’s final month might lead him to choose them over other potential free-agent suitors, including the Yankees.
If the Yankees were to pursue Kim or other shortstops, Anthony Volpe could become an option for the Braves. Volpe struggled the past two seasons as New York’s shortstop, but the 24-year-old infielder had a 3-plus bWAR in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
