The Atlanta Braves are officially in the shortstop market after the news that Ha-Seong Kim has declined his $16 million player option for the 2026 season. This decision does come as a bit of a surprise when you consider the fact that Kim's 2025 season ended with the Braves due to the fact that the Tampa Bay Rays were ready to punt on the contract. Regardless, Atlanta now has a clear problem to solve in the middle of the infield.
Nick Allen started the bulk of the 2025 season, but he clearly cannot be relied on offensively to provide anything. As elite a defender as Allen was, there was simply no excuse for consistently giving away at-bats. This leaves the Braves with very little clarity about what path they are going to take at the position. The one interesting free agent option is Bo Bichette, who is likely to demand a high price even if he is willing to find a new landing spot after Toronto's World Series failure.
This leaves Atlanta evaluating all current options, including one outside-the-box option of utilizing a current outfielder. Jurickson Profar started his career as a promising shortstop prospect and has experience all over the infield. However, a shoulder injury derailed his career defensively and resulted in the move to the outfield. Still, the Braves would be wise to at least explore the possibility of whether or not Profar is anything close to capable at the position.
Braves Outfielder Jurickson Profar is One Outside the Box Shortstop Solution
Profar isn't likely to be the only answer, or the number one option, but it is at least something the franchise should put on the table. You're dealing with an incredibly high payroll already and looking to add to the bullpen, bench, rotation, and middle infield, saving at every possible position is key.
This also makes it far easier to fill out the rest of the lineup with outfielders far more plentiful during this year's free agency period. The obvious issue here is simply whether or not Profar could be anything close to capable defensively. Atlanta already has a slight concern with Ozzie Albies at second, whose defense hasn't been as sharp as early in his career. Having a liability at shortstop is clearly not an option, even if it did go a long way in fixing the current lineup.
With this in mind, it is a possible solution the Braves should cautiously explore during the 2026 offseason. Ideally, the franchise is willing to spend top dollar bringing back Kim or opting to land Bichette as a long-term option. However, this seems unlikely considering recent offseasons, making it very possible that Profar could become a potential answer to the position.