The Atlanta Braves are bringing back a familiar face - and a reliable glove - in Ha-Seong Kim, signing the slick-fielding shortstop to a one-year, $20 million deal. Kim, a former Gold Glove winner, steps right back into the starting shortstop role for a Braves team looking to fortify its infield defense while keeping the window for contention wide open.
At 30 years old, Kim was widely considered the top defensive shortstop available in a free-agent class that didn’t offer much depth at the position. With the exception of Bo Bichette - a talented bat who might not even stick at shortstop long-term - there weren’t many everyday shortstops on the market. That made Kim’s glove even more valuable, especially for a team like Atlanta that thrives on run prevention and defensive reliability up the middle.
Kim was ranked No. 29 among this year’s free agents, and projections had him landing a multi-year deal in the $50 million range. But after a rocky 2025 season that included two stints on the injured list with back issues, Kim's market was a bit more complicated. Still, his late-season stint with the Braves may have changed the calculus - for both sides.
After being claimed off waivers from the Rays in September, Kim made the most of his fresh start in Atlanta. In just 24 games, he hit .253 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .684 OPS across 98 plate appearances. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, especially compared to his more productive run with the Padres from 2022 to 2024, but they were more than respectable considering his limited playing time in Tampa and the layoff he had endured.
The Braves clearly liked what they saw - not just in the box score, but in the way Kim fit into the clubhouse and on the field. Team president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said the hope is to keep Kim around beyond this one-year deal, a sentiment that speaks to both Kim’s impact and the team’s confidence in his bounce-back potential. Kim, for his part, said he enjoyed his time in Atlanta, and that mutual comfort may have helped get this deal across the line.
It’s worth noting that the Braves prepared for the possibility that Kim might leave in free agency. Back in November, they traded for Mauricio Dubón, a Gold Glove utility man from the Astros who could’ve stepped in at shortstop if needed. That move now looks more like insurance than necessity - and with Kim back in the fold, the Braves have enviable depth and flexibility across the infield.
Kim’s offensive production in Atlanta wasn’t quite at the level he showed in San Diego - where he posted a 103 OPS+ and hit 39 home runs over three seasons - but his defense remains elite. His Gold Glove in 2023 came as a utility infielder, a testament to his versatility and range. That same season, he also put up career highs in home runs (17) and OPS (.749), finishing 14th in National League MVP voting.
Even if Bichette is the better hitter, the gap in overall value is surprisingly narrow. Kim’s average of 4.2 bWAR per 162 games is only slightly behind Bichette’s 4.5, and that’s largely thanks to Kim’s defensive prowess. He’s the kind of player who might not light up highlight reels with towering homers but saves runs - and wins - with his glove.
For the Braves, this deal is low-risk and high-upside. If Kim stays healthy and performs like he did during his best years in San Diego, Atlanta gets a top-tier defensive shortstop with enough bat to make a difference. And if things click again in 2026, there’s a chance this reunion could turn into something more long-term.
For now, Kim is back in Atlanta, back at shortstop, and back in a position to prove he’s still one of the most valuable defenders in the game.