The Atlanta Braves’ free agent plan for infielder Ha-Seong Kim has been clearly revealed by multiple MLB insiders: re-signing the Gold Glove winner is the top priority for the shortstop position, despite Kim’s decision to opt out of his 2026 player option.
Braves President and General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has publicly stated that strengthening the shortstop position is the “top priority” for the offseason, and Kim is considered the best fit among the limited options available.
The Plan: Aggressive Pursuit on a Mid-Term Deal
Despite Kim opting out of his guaranteed $16 million salary for 2026, the Braves’ acquisition of him via a waiver claim late in the 2025 season strongly suggested they were willing to pay that salary. Now, their plan is to pursue him aggressively on a short-to-mid-term deal.
Ha-Seong Kim (the main character in this plan) is highly valued for his defense, and his short, productive stint with the Braves at the end of 2025 (batting .253 with 3 HR in 24 games) boosted his stock with the team.
| Contract Prediction | Source/Rationale |
| 2 Years, $30 Million | MLB Trade Rumors: Three of four experts predicted a return to Atlanta on this deal, citing the thin shortstop market. |
| 1 Year, $16 Million | ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel: Predicted a “prove-it” deal given Kim’s 2025 injury history (shoulder surgery recovery and back troubles), keeping the contract at the level of the option he declined. |
| 3 Years, $48M–$60 Million | SI’s Projection: Suggested a higher offer is possible due to the extremely weak overall shortstop market this winter. |
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The Braves’ likely strategy is to push for the 2-year, $30 million range. This provides Kim with more guaranteed money than the one-year option he rejected, while remaining a relatively short-term commitment given his age (30) and recent injury history.
Why Kim is the Top Priority
Anthopoulos and the Braves are prioritizing Kim for two main reasons:
- Organizational Need: Shortstop has been a glaring weakness for the Braves since Dansby Swanson departed after the 2022 season. Acquiring Kim on waivers showed their commitment to fixing the hole.
- Weak Market Leverage: The shortstop free agent market is exceptionally thin. Bo Bichette is the only other starting free agent, but he would be significantly more expensive. The lack of viable alternatives gives Kim immense leverage, but the Braves see him as a reliable, known commodity.
Insiders believe that if the Braves cannot reach an agreement with Kim, they may revert to using Nick Allen or targeting a low-upside stopgap player, as they are unlikely to overspend for the few other options available.
While shortstop is the top priority, the Braves also need to reinforce the bullpen. Would you like to check the latest news on the Braves’ pursuit of closer Raisel Iglesias?
