The Braves’ shortstop situation has become a real mess, and the answer may come from outside the organization rather than from another patchwork fix.
Ha-Seong Kim has been mired in one of the worst offensive seasons ever, while Mauricio Dubon looks more natural in a utility role than as an everyday shortstop. With both players set to hit free agency after the season, Atlanta will need to find a steadier option in the middle of the infield.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter sees the Braves going after a familiar type of move: a veteran shortstop who is available at a manageable price. He wrote, "The Braves have patched together the shortstop position with a combination of Mauricio Dubón, Ha-Seong Kim and Jim Jarvis. With both Dubón and Kim headed to free agency, that won't be a viable option in 2027," Reuter wrote.
He also noted a bigger swing would be possible, but probably not the most realistic one. "There is always the possibility of a splash to acquire someone like Zach Neto, but a reasonable free-agent deal for J.P. Crawford feels much more on brand."
Neto would bring the better overall player, but prying him loose from the Los Angeles Angels would cost Atlanta a hefty package of prospect capital. Crawford, on the other hand, offers a cheaper path.
The 30-year-old is playing out the final season of his five-year, $51 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. Through 102 games, he is hitting .219/.341/.338 with 10 home runs and a .679 OPS.
Those numbers won’t jump off the page, but they would still represent an upgrade over what Kim and Jim Jarvis have given the Braves offensively. Crawford’s defense has slipped, and that is part of the calculus too, but Atlanta may be willing to live with it if it means adding a veteran who can handle the position every day.
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The bigger picture is the Cy Young chase, where Jacob Misiorowski has put himself in position by leading some key pitching categories and emerging as a serious contender. Sale still has a chance to make his case, and with a postseason start on the horizon, Atlanta has reason to watch every outing a little more closely as September unfolds. [Read more 🡒]