Braves Eye Corey Seager as Potential Replacement for Ha-Seong Kim — A Two-Time World Series MVP Could Be Atlanta’s Next Big Move
The Atlanta Braves could be preparing for another major roster shake-up — and this time, the focus is shortstop.
With Ha-Seong Kim expected to opt out of his contract and test free agency this winter, the Braves once again find themselves facing the same question that has haunted them since Dansby Swanson’s departure: who will anchor the middle infield next season?
According to Sports Illustrated’s Harrison Smajovits, the market conditions make Kim’s departure increasingly likely.
“Because of this thin market, that would incentivize Kim to test the market. For that same reason, it’s even more important that the Braves find a way to retain his services,” Smajovits wrote. “If he opts out and signs elsewhere, they could be back to square one with this dilemma.”
That dilemma — balancing defensive reliability with offensive consistency — could soon push general manager Alex Anthopoulos toward one of the boldest moves of the offseason.
A Superstar Solution: Corey Seager
If Kim walks, multiple insiders believe the Braves could make a run at Corey Seager, the two-time World Series MVP and five-time All-Star who remains one of the premier shortstops in baseball.
Per The Sporting News, Seager would be “exactly what Atlanta is looking for” — a battle-tested veteran with championship experience and middle-of-the-order power.
Smajovits adds that Atlanta could structure a potential trade to offset Seager’s hefty salary.
“While he’s going to require shipping off some talent, the Braves should be able to leverage the salary they would be taking on to give up fewer players,” he wrote. “They could also leverage assets to get the Rangers to retain some salary to avoid taking on all of it.”
Seager, who captured World Series MVP honors with both the Dodgers (2020) and Rangers (2023), has been among the league’s most consistent sluggers over the past several seasons. From 2022 to 2024, he hit 30 or more home runs in three straight years, and even in an injury-shortened 2025 campaign (102 games), he managed 21 home runs and an .882 OPS.
A healthy Seager could easily return to his 30-homer pace — a potential game-changer for a Braves lineup that struggled for consistency throughout 2025.
The Stakes for Atlanta
If Seager were to land in Atlanta, it wouldn’t just plug a positional hole — it could redefine the Braves’ offensive identity.
His left-handed bat would bring balance to a righty-heavy order and add another championship-caliber presence to a clubhouse already rich in veteran leadership.
As MLB insider Mark Bowman noted, Kim’s exit would force Atlanta’s front office to act decisively:
“Kim is expected to decline his $16 million option for the 2026 season and become a commodity on what will be a thin free-agent market for shortstops.”
That scarcity gives Seager’s name even more weight.
A Calculated Gamble
Of course, acquiring Seager would come at a price — both in salary and in prospects. The Rangers would likely require a meaningful return, and the Braves would need to navigate luxury tax implications. But with Anthopoulos’ track record of bold, calculated moves, insiders believe nothing is off the table.
If the deal were to happen, it could catapult Atlanta back among baseball’s elite — a team built not just on power, but on proven postseason pedigree.
As one National League executive told The Sporting News:
“Seager in Atlanta changes everything. That lineup becomes terrifying again.”
Whether it’s Seager or another surprise name, one thing is clear: the Braves’ winter plans will revolve around one position — and one mission — reclaiming their place among baseball’s contenders.
