The Atlanta Braves just got hit with a gut punch before the season even gets rolling. Ha-Seong Kim, their newly acquired All-Star shortstop, is expected to miss four to five months after injuring his finger while in South Korea. That’s a major blow to a team with championship aspirations - Kim was brought in to solidify the infield and add a dynamic presence on both sides of the ball.
Now, the Braves are staring down a tough question: who can step in and hold it down at shortstop while Kim recovers?
The good news? There are still a few veteran options on the market who could offer a steady glove and some professional at-bats without blowing up the payroll. One name that makes a lot of sense in this situation: José Iglesias.
At this point in his career, Iglesias is exactly the kind of plug-and-play shortstop a contending team like Atlanta could use. He’s a 13-year MLB veteran who’s seen just about everything the game has to offer. And while his bat has been up and down over the last couple of seasons, his experience and reliability in the field make him a low-risk, high-floor option.
Last season, Iglesias posted a .229/.298/.294 slash line over 112 games - not eye-popping, but serviceable. He added 11 doubles, three homers, and 36 RBI.
The year before that, though, he reminded folks he still has something in the tank, slashing .337/.381/.448 with 16 doubles, four home runs, and 26 RBI in just 85 games. That kind of production, even in a limited sample, shows he can still make an impact if the situation’s right.
Financially, this is a no-brainer. Iglesias is projected to command a one-year deal worth around $1.4 million - a bargain for a veteran with his resume. For a team like the Braves, who just need someone to bridge the gap until Kim is ready to return, that’s the kind of low-cost, low-commitment move that makes a lot of sense.
No one’s saying Iglesias is going to come in and replicate Kim’s all-around game. But if he can find a middle ground between his 2024 and 2025 numbers, he could be exactly what Atlanta needs: a stabilizing presence at shortstop, someone who can field his position, put together quality at-bats, and keep the infield from unraveling in Kim’s absence.
The Braves have built a roster that’s deep, talented, and built to win now. Losing Kim hurts - no question. But if they act quickly and bring in a steady hand like Iglesias, they can weather this storm and stay on track for another postseason run.