Bold headline energy: A familiar face returns, and the Braves are banking on continuity. Ha-Seong Kim has agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal to come back to Atlanta, a source told MLB.com. The club has yet to officially confirm the agreement.
Kim, 30, hit free agency after choosing to opt out of his $16 million player option for 2026 with the Braves. That option was part of the two-year, $31 million contract he signed with the Rays last offseason, which paid out over two seasons before Atlanta claimed him off waivers on September 1.
The season proved challenging for the Bucheon, South Korea native. His Rays debut was delayed until July as he recovered from October shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. He also battled a right calf strain in July and twice landed on the injured list with back issues.
Overall, Kim appeared in 48 games this year—24 with Tampa Bay and 24 with Atlanta—posting a .234/.304/.345 line (83 OPS+) with five homers. Defensively, his Outs Above Average tally stood at -3.
This season diverged markedly from Kim’s typical performance, especially with his glove. Kim arrived in MLB in 2020 with the Padres on a four-year, $28 million deal after seven seasons in Korea’s KBO. In those four years, he hit .242/.326/.380 (99 OPS+) with 47 home runs, 78 stolen bases across 540 games, and 23 Outs Above Average on defense.
Kim’s peak came in 2023, when he set career highs in homers (17), steals (38), OPS (.749), and bWAR (5.4), plus a Gold Glove at the utility position. In 2024, San Diego moved him to full-time shortstop even after signing shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract in 2022.
What this means for the Braves is a familiar profile: a versatile defender with speed and moments of offensive punch, now anchored by a year-long commitment that signals trust in his ability to rebound. As the team finalizes details, fans will be watching how Kim fits into Atlanta’s infield mix and lineup strategy for 2026.
What are your thoughts on Kim’s one-year deal? Do you expect him to reclaim his defensive versatility and reemerge as a gap-creator on offense, or is the risk tied to his recent injuries too great for a long-term view? Share your take in the comments.
