As the 2025 playoffs roll along, the Atlanta Braves have a couple of key storylines at the start of their offseason. Obviously Brian Snitker's retirement as manager and figuring out his replacement is getting all of the headlines right not as it should. However, the Braves will soon get very important news about their future at shortstop when Ha-Seong Kim makes a decision about his player option for 2026.
When the Braves claimed Kim off of waivers, almost everyone thought that he would opt in for next season. He was coming off shoulder surgery and a couple other injuries in season and hadn't played particularly well with the Rays, so the idea that he would test free agency again immediately seem far-fetched. However, after a really strong tenure with the Atlanta, Kim declining his player option feels much more likely.
In an ideal world, the Braves and Kim come to some sort of common ground on a longer term deal and Atlanta would have shortstop addressed for the foreseeable future. However, if the Braves aren't interested in staying in Kim's market and/or if Scott Boras is completely unreasonable with his asks, Atlanta needs to pick up the phone and call the Diamondbacks about a Jordan Lawlar trade.
If Ha-Seong Kim leaves, targeting a Jordan Lawlar trade may be the Braves best option
The fundamental problem in play here for the Braves is that the shortstop market is incredibly thin this offseason. Outside of Kim, there is Bo Bichette, who is going to be very expensive and who can't defend, and then a whole lot of really questionable choices. Atlanta almost certainly doesn't want to run Nick Allen out there at short again, but that doesn't mean they should just grab another shortstop out of the clearance bin again, either.
That is where a potential Lawlar trade comes into play. Yes, Lawlar is a very highly regarded prospect, but he is going to have to play out of position in Arizona due to the presence of Geraldo Perdomo and his limited playing time in the big leagues has not gone well. However, his numbers at Triple-A have been excellent with a .966 OPS in 300 plate appearances in the minors last season including 11 homers and 20 stolen bases. Importantly, there is also no question right now that Lawlar could be a very solid (or better) defender at short in the big leagues as well.
There is a way to make this sort of trade make sense for both sides. The Diamondbacks have a lot going for them in their lineup led by Perdomo, Corbin Carroll, and Ketel Marte, but they really need pitching especially with some of the guys expected to leave in free agency. Atlanta doesn't have a ton of depth in their farm system, but they do have some pitching prospects that could be included in such a move. Cam Caminiti went to high school in the Scottsdale area and is highly regarded, so perhaps the former first round pick could be the centerpiece.
It remains true that locking up Ha-Seong Kim is the best option for Atlanta as we enter the offseason. However, that requires both sides to be in agreement and there has been little indication that any such deal is imminent (though getting leaks from this Braves front office is basically impossible). Atlanta can't afford to put all their eggs in the Kim basket at a position in desperate need of production and targeting Lawlar if Arizona is even remotely reasonable may be their next best option.