Atlanta Braves Face ‘Double Whammy’ as Ha-Seong Kim Free Agency Decision Looms Large in Thin Shortstop Market.vc
October 31, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – The Atlanta Braves are staring down a high-stakes offseason, with Ha-Seong Kim’s impending free agency decision emerging as the linchpin of their roster rebuild following a deeply disappointing 2025 campaign.
Kim, the Gold Glove-winning shortstop who anchored Atlanta’s infield with elite defense, holds a player option that could send him to the open market. If he opts out, the Braves risk a “double whammy” in a historically weak free-agent class at shortstop, according to MLB insiders.
“Between the cost and being a net negative on defense, signing [Bo] Bichette would likely be a big mistake from an opportunity cost perspective,” wrote HTHB’s Eric Cole, dismissing trade rumors linking Toronto’s Bo Bichette to Atlanta. “Not only is Bichette going to be looking for a contract that may approach $200 million at 27 years old, but he dealt with injuries this season and his defensive shortcomings blunt the benefits of his bat.”
With premium shortstop talent scarce, Kim’s elite glove — backed by a $29 million club option the Braves declined in favor of a potential long-term extension — makes him the clear priority.
“A weak free-agent market for shortstops serves as a double whammy for the Braves,” noted The Sporting News and Braves insider Mark Bowman. “This gives Kim reason to test free agency, and it obviously limits Atlanta’s fallback options if he ends up signing with another team.”
SI’s Harrison Smajovits echoed the urgency: “If he opts out and signs elsewhere, they could be back to square one with this dilemma. The offense has had its struggles as is, and they have, at least for now, figured out one of the issues.”
Why Ha-Seong Kim Is the Braves’ Top Target
- Gold Glove Defense: Consistently among MLB’s best defensive shortstops
- Cost-Controlled Production: Proven two-way contributor at a premium position
- Market Leverage: Thin free-agent pool increases Kim’s bargaining power
The Braves’ front office faces a critical window. Securing Kim to a multi-year extension before he hits free agency would stabilize the infield and avoid a chaotic bidding war. Failure to do so could force Atlanta into overpaying for flawed alternatives like Bichette or settling for stopgap solutions.
As one NL executive anonymously told The Sporting News, “Kim isn’t just the best option — he might be the only viable one.”
For the Braves, the message is clear: Lock up Ha-Seong Kim now — or risk starting from scratch.
