Kim spent the final month of the 2025 season with the Braves. They claimed he was cleared off waivers by the Rays, who were happy to get out of the player option. Atlanta had long been buried in the playoff picture. The move was solely about building a relationship with Kim in the hopes that he would return next year. They preferred this to be done via the player option, but felt that a few weeks in the clubhouse could give them an edge in re-signing him even if he opted out.
The right-hitting Kim made a solid impression at his new club. He went on a 10-game hitting streak in mid-September and recorded at least one strike in 15 of his first 19 games. Kim finished on a 1-19 skid over his last five games, dropping to a middling .253/.316/.368 line in 98 plate appearances. That was still a lot better than the .214/.290/.321 he had hit in a similar amount of playing time in an injury-riddled few months in Tampa Bay.
Overall, Kim is hitting .234/.304/.345 in 48 games. The Braves certainly believe this is not representative of his true talent. Kim was an above-average everyday player for the Padres from 2022-2024. He was a slightly better than average hitter who played all over the infield plus defense. Kim’s time in San Diego ended when he tore the labrum in his right shoulder jumping to first base on a pickoff attempt in August ’24. He had to undergo surgery that led to the Padres choosing not to make him a qualifying offer.
The Rays surprisingly won the bid for Kim last offseason, signing him to a two-year, $29 million contract with an opt-out. It was always a baffling move for a club with low wages. The Rays signed Kim for a salary of $13 million for the first season, despite knowing he was unlikely to play a role until a few months later. He didn’t make his season debut until shortly before the All-Star Break. Calf and back problems resulted in a subsequent stay on the minimally injured list. While the Rays managed to offload the final few weeks of Kim’s salaries thanks to the waiver claim, they still paid just over $11 million for 24 games with replacement-level production.
Kim should start the 2026 season in full health. Although his results were lower this year, he scored career highs in average exit velocity and hard contact rates. That seems to bode well for his shoulder strength, at least in the batter’s box. There may be more cause for concern on the defense front. According to Statcast, Kim’s arm strength was down about four miles per hour this past season. His arm was closer to average than the plus weapon he had been in previous years, though he hasn’t dropped so far that the team would worry about his viability on the left side of the infield. Even Kim’s post-injury version threw harder than, on average Mookie Betts, Corey Seager or Taylor Walls – all of whom were Gold Glove finalists at shortstop in 2025.
The Braves aren’t the only team that considered Kim a solid rebounding candidate. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the 30-year-old rejected interest from clubs willing to go several years to get back on the market next winter. The Tigers were the only other team publicly linked to Kim this offseason, although clubs like the Giants and Pirates are known to be looking for on-field help. MLBTR had predicted that Kim would get a two-year, $30 million contract with an opt-out after the first season. He opts for a one-year contract at a higher salary to bet on himself.
Kim returns as Atlanta’s daily shortstop. That will promote trade recovery Mauricio Dubon to a utility role. The Braves were unable to make Kim a qualifying offer this offseason because they acquired him during the season. Assuming they don’t trade him midseason, they could make the QO next winter. That would entitle them to compensation if he plays well enough to decline and sign elsewhere.
Atlanta has been one of the most aggressive teams in the first few months of free agency. Kim agrees Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias And Mike Yastrzemski as significant free agent pickups. They took over Dubón’s final arbitration season, which cost $6.1 million. They have more than $245 million in guaranteed commitments for next season. They are already well past this year’s opening day of approximately $208 million.
Kim’s signing also pushes them past the $244 million luxury tax threshold, as calculated by Grid source. They are sitting on approximately $255 million in CBT liabilities. Atlanta had paid the luxury tax in 2023 and ’24, but fell short this year. This will reset their payer status from 2026. They are taxed at a rate of 20% on their first $20 million above the limit. Currently, they have a minimum tax payment (approximately $2.2 million). That amounts to an increase during the low season and into next year. The Braves still need to shore up a rotation that has been ravaged by injuries, and they certainly hope they’ll be able to add around the trade deadline.
With Kim staying at Truist Park, the shortstop market is essentially down to the top free agents Bo Bichette. Depth typing Isiah Kiner Fear And Willie Castro are the next best options in free agency. There are no obvious trade candidates for the position, which played a role in Atlanta’s decision to hire a utility in Dubón to give them cover in case Kim prices himself out of their comfort zone.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported that the Braves re-signed Kim to a $20 million contract Ken Rosenthal of athletics was indicated for one year. Image courtesy of Jordan Godfree, Imagn Images.
#Braves #resign #HaSeong #Kim