Ha-Seong Kim watch is in full effect as the deadline for Kim to decide on his player option for 2026 approaches. Atlanta Braves insider, Mark Bowman, discussed the topic in his latest news update and all signs still point towards Kim declining his $16 million option. The deadline for a decision from Kim is five days after the World Series concludes, meaning the Braves only have at most a couple more weeks to work out an extension with Kim before other teams come calling.
Braves fans continue to fear what the answer at shortstop will be if Kim does not resign with the club, but perhaps this approaching deadline will motive Alex Anthopoulos to get a deal done before other teams can increase the price to keep Kim. Easier said than done with a Scott Boras agent just weeks away from free agency, but crazier things have happened in baseball.
Time running out for Braves to work on an extension with Ha-Seong Kim
Alex Anthopoulos is known for getting his shopping done early in the offseason, but if the Braves want to retain Kim, it's going to require some magic from the general manager. It's been mentioned before, but the shortstop market is quite thin and Kim would be one of the best names available on the open market.
Normally a shortstop coming off a .649 OPS season wouldn't hesitate to pocket $16 million next season, but Bowman points out that Kim should feel confident he can at the very least exceed that number in free agency. The question is can Anthopoulos get an offer on the table that would make Kim reconsider testing the market? Is four years, $90 million enough to get it done, or is Kim determined to see what other teams will offer knowing the Braves should be there as a fallback?
Whether we like the answer or not, fans are going to get one sooner rather than later. Most are rightfully nervous about Kim's decision, but when Anthopoulos likes a guy, he usually gets him. It's clear AA has interest in Kim, and it sounds like he recognizes how important it is to have a playable shortstop in 2026. Let's hope this final stretch plus all the previous groundwork is enough to keep Kim in Atlanta.