BEYOND THE PILLOW DEAL: ANTHOPOULOS GAMBLES ON A “LONGER MARRIAGE”
ATLANTA, GA—When the news broke late Monday that Ha-Seong Kim had agreed to return to the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $20 million contract, many saw it as a classic “pillow deal”—a short-term fix for a team that struggled at shortstop throughout 2025. But a closer look at the words of Alex Anthopoulos reveals something far more aggressive: the Braves aren’t just renting a shortstop; they are building a bridge to a new era of infield dominance.
By securing Kim for 2026, Anthopoulos didn’t just outbid the competition; he secured a player who reportedly turned down a four-year, $48 million offer from the Athletics to stay in Atlanta. The “fuse” has been lit because both sides are betting on a massive 2026 that leads to a career-defining extension.
THE STRATEGIC MASTERSTROKE: BENDING THE FUTURE
While the deal is technically for one season, the intent is clearly “The Donaldson Model” on steroids. Anthopoulos famously signed Josh Donaldson to a one-year deal in 2019 to reset his value; with Kim, the goal is to stabilize the “spine” of the roster while the team’s top prospects continue to cook in the minors.
| The Metric | Kim’s “Reshape” Factor | The Long-Term Impact |
| Defensive Stability | Replaces the revolving door of 2025 (Arcia/Allen) with a Gold Glover. | Instantly elevates the pitching staff’s confidence, especially for groundball-heavy arms. |
| Roster Flexibility | Pushes trade acquisition Mauricio Dubón into a super-utility role. | Gives Dave Roberts-style versatility to Brian Snitker, covering every spot from 2B to CF. |
| The “Boras” Bet | Kim took a $4M raise to bet on his health in a winning environment. | If he thrives, the Braves have the inside track to sign him to a 5-year deal next winter. |
“HOPEFULLY A LONGER MARRIAGE”
Anthopoulos was uncharacteristically transparent during his Monday press conference, stating, “General manager Alex Anthopoulos said a long-term contract with Kim was discussed… hopefully a longer marriage here.” This “confidence” stems from Kim’s underlying 2025 data. Despite his injury-marred stats (.234 BA), his average and 90th-percentile exit velocities were career highs. The Braves’ internal “Pitching and Hitting Labs” believe Kim is a 20-HR, 30-SB threat hiding in a 1-year contract.
WHAT’S NEXT: THE ROTATION DOMINO
With the “spine” of the infield and outfield (Yastrzemski/Acuña/Harris) set, the “next decision” in motion is almost certainly the rotation. By choosing a 1-year deal for Kim over a 7-year commitment to someone like Bo Bichette, the Braves have kept their 2027–2028 books clean, allowing them to pivot toward an elite starting pitcher now.
The fuse is burning. The Braves have moved from “surviving” a 2025 nightmare to “shaping” an NL East powerhouse. If Kim hits like he did in San Diego, the “quiet statement” of December will become a loud roar in October.
