The Atlanta Braves answered the biggest question remaining this week by re-signing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year deal worth $20 million. It isn't a terribly surprising move when you consider the fact that Atlanta brought in the shortstop at the end of the 2025 season after already being far out of playoff contention. The move was made with the thought of building a relationship that would bridge the gap into the 2026 season. However, the obvious issue with this is that Kim finished the year struggling at the plate, going 1/19 over the final games of the season.
It is more of the same offensive struggles that resulted in Kim being jettisoned from the Tampa Bay Rays after hitting .214 on the season. This is a year after Kim's numbers with the San Diego Padres fell, with the infielder offering only a .233 average while still playing high-level defense. The point here is that the Braves opted to bring back an offensive wildcard when a better option remained on the market.
Atlanta has already made it clear they are going to be aggressive this offseason, signing Raisel Iglesias, Mike Yastrzemski, and Robert Suarez. The most aggressive move possible would've been signing current free agent shortstop and offensive force Bo Bichette. The infielder made the most sense for the Braves, considering the boost he would bring to the lineup and the clear fit in Atlanta's middle infield.
Braves Signing Ha-Seong Kim Ignores Obvious Offseason Fit in FA Bo Bichette
Bichette is coming off a great season with the Toronto Blue Jays, helping fuel an American League championship and run to the World Series that fell just short. Plugging the infielder into Atlanta's lineup drastically changes your outlook when you already have two offensive question marks in the projected starting lineup in Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy.
Adding Kim gives you a trio of spots in your starting lineup that you're simply unsure what to expect from moving into the 2026 season. With this in mind, the Braves are taking a high-dollar risk when spending a bit more would've offered you higher upside and long-term stability.
Atlanta is now either stuck with an answer that plays out in frustrating fashion or a player who is heading into free agency yet again. There isn't an ideal way that this plays out unless the 2026 season ends with the Braves hoisting the World Series trophy. No question, signing Kim was the wrong decision given that a superior option remains on the market.
Still, there is hope that Kim can turn around his recent offensive struggles and return to the productive hitter he was during his time in San Diego. If Atlanta can find a way to bring this out of the veteran while enjoying his reliable defense, the move will age better than expected, even if it wasn't the right choice.