One of the biggest questions going into the Atlanta Braves offseason is whether or not they'll be in the market for a shortstop. With Ha-Seong Kim holding a player option for 2026 and playing well down the stretch, it's clear that the decision could go either way.
This week, after arriving back in South Korea, Kim spoke to the media about his future when it comes to Atlanta and this offseason, and his response could give Braves fans some hope.
Ha-Seong Kim speaks on next move this offseason
When the Braves claimed Ha-Seong Kim off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays at the end of August, they were able to swap out one of the worst hitters in the league with a league-average bat without sacrificing heavily on the defensive end.
Kim finished out his 2025 Braves tenure with a .253/.316/.368 slashline and a 91 wRC+, though his overall numbers were dragged down by a hitless series finale. His play was solid enough that Braves fans were pining for him to pick up his player option, but also good enough that he could be convinced to decline it and hit the free agent market.
Outside of Bo Bichette, the 2025-2026 shortstop market is incredibly week, and it's conceivable that Kim could secure a longterm deal with an average annual value worth more than the $16 million he'd make if he picked up his option.
Speaking to the media upon his return to South Korea, Kim broke down his turbulent season, which saw him miss most of the season recovering from shoulder surgery and then missing parts of July and August with various injuries.
Kim said that once he got to Atlanta, he felt like his physical condition improved and that he had more fun playing for the Braves than he did with the Rays. When asked about what his plans were for the future, he said that he still needs to talk to his agent, but did mention that the Braves had expressed interest in him returning. The latter point, however, he said he couldn't say much on.
Kim's decision will alter the trajectory of the entire offseason. While his non-committal answer could seem like bad news for fans hoping for his return, his praise of Atlanta could mean that location might factor into his decision to return.