After the Atlanta Braves announced Walt Weiss as Brian Snitker's successor on Monday, the organization can now focus on adding players for the 2026 campaign. Shortstop has become a large priority for the Atlanta Braves this offseason. So that should be their first area of focus.
Ha-Seong Kim declined his $16 million option to return next season. Now the Braves will have to contend with his agent, Scott Boras, and hope they can afford him.
The Athletic's Keith Law recently released his board of the top 50 free agents this offseason. Kim is ranked 36th on the list, and Law doesn't seem to believe the 30-year-old shortstop deserves more than one year.
Braves fans are hoping Keith Law is partially right, because that means they can keep Ha-Seong Kim
Law cited Kim's struggles with the Rays, mediocrity with the Braves, and struggles to stay healthy as reasons not to offer a long-term contract. While his performance was down, there were some encouraging signs for Atlanta to consider.
Kim's squared-up, chase, and whiff percentages were excellent, and you can see his defense is still in there. His arm strength and range were down a good bit in 2025, but hopefully, with a full and healthy offseason, he will return to form in that department.
This is one of those situations where fans hope the team can land a player at an affordable rate. If the Braves commit to just one year and the cost is less than $20 million, that's super beneficial. However, I think Law is a bit misguided in his assessment.
Kim wouldn't have opted out if he didn't feel like he could secure a multi-year contract somewhere. How much that contract will cost is the question on everyone's minds. The minimum AAV will be $16 million, but Kim could command a two or three-year deal worth around $20 million AAV.
Bo Bichette is going to cost a pretty penny this offseason, so Atlanta doesn't feel like his destination. Kim is the next best available shortstop on the market, and the Braves adding him on a one-year contract only lengthens their dire need for a middle infielder.
Locking him up for a couple of years would bridge the gap until one of the organization's recent draft picks is ready to take over the reins.