For baseball fans, it is easy to look back on team free agency decisions with criticism once you have time to reflect on the results. Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is regarded as one of the best in the game, but some of his previous free agency decisions have proven costly. Outside of an outlier career year for Orlando Arcia in 2023, the Braves have experienced troubles at shortstop ever since Dansby Swanson left for Chicago in free agency.
Last season, Braves fans suffered through a heavy dose of Nick Allen at-bats until the team claimed Ha-Seong Kim off waivers late in the season. Kim predictably declined his option, and the Braves are right back in desperation mode for a shortstop this winter. Perhaps if Anthopoulos would have swung bigger last offseason for Willy Adames, the team wouldn't be in this dreadful scenario.
Willy Adames from June 1st on: 102 G, 3.5 fWAR (19th), 125 wRC+, 25 HR…he adjusted well! pic.twitter.com/o4PbWVIevQ
— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) November 7, 2025
Braves had the chance to swing big for Willy Adames last offseason, and now their decision could haunt them
Addressing shortstop this winter feels like it's Ha-Seong Kim or nothing for the Braves. That is not an ideal place to be given Atlanta's competition. Last offseason Atlanta was in a similar predicament when it was basically sign Adames or punt at shortstop for another season. Ultimately, Adames landed a mega deal with the Giants and the Braves struggled at shortstop once again.
If you are cautious about how Adames' contract ages, that is a fair game to play. However, you cannot argue with the numbers Adames put up in San Francisco last season. Despite a slow start in his new threads, Adames finished the 2025 season with 30 home runs, a 108 wRC+, and a 4.0 fWAR while playing half his games in a pitcher friendly ballpark. Next season Adames is projected to post very similar, fringe All-Star level numbers.
The money could be scary, but there is no denying the comfort of Adames at shortstop would be nice to have right now. Because of Anthopoulos' hesitancy to splurge last winter the Braves basically HAVE to bring back Ha-Seong Kim. Hopefully Kim's market doesn't get crazy, or else fans may be looking back once again at what the team didn't do to address their shortstop problem.