Most Atlanta Braves fans know just how vital re-signing Ha-Seong Kim is for the offseason. Alex Anthopoulos made it clear upgrading shortstop was an offseason priority, but if the team fails to keep HSK the options beyond are very limited. Atlanta Braves insider, Mark Bowman recently spoke on the Braves backup plans if Kim signs elsewhere, and the names mentioned are enough to worry everyone in Braves country.
As we have mentioned, the free agent crop of shortstops are very limited this winter. Bo Bichette is the big name, but also graded as one of the worst defenders in baseball last year. Elsewhere, Trevor Story could be an intriguing option, but most pundits around the league feel he will stay in Boston. This is exactly why Kim could be the best shortstop on the market this winter.
Should another team outbid Atlanta for Kim, Bowman suggests the trade market to solve their shortstop worries. Unfortunately, trading for a starting caliber shortstop is about as hard as getting free agent quality starting pitching on a team-friendly price.
Bowman lists Nick Allen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa as fall back options if the Braves miss out on Ha-Seong Kim
The idea of another 162 games with Nick Allen as the Braves' starting shortstop is truly nightmarish stuff. Allen is a finalist for a NL Gold Glove this year, but the anemic bat makes it very hard for the Braves offense to sustain rallies when pitchers get to the bottom of Atlanta's batting order. Similiarly, Bowman suggested current Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa as a backup option if Atlanta fails to keep Kim.
IKF is a well traveled defensive first shortstop, but even his defense took a step back in 2025. Kiner-Falefa's offensive numbers are better on the surface than Allen's, but his Statcast profile is very Nick Allen-esque. IKF has carried an OPS in the .600's every season of his eight-year career so the upgrade Anthopoulos was hoping for at shortstop wouldn't come in this scenario.
Truly the only good thing about starting IKF or Nick Allen at shortstop in 2026 is the fact that Anthopoulos would be able to reallocate the money elsewhere on the roster. However, given what we had to watch offensively at shortstop for much of last season, many Braves fans are hoping Anthopoulos does whatever it takes to retain Kim and avoid these terrifying fallback options.