The 2025 season was a tough pill to swallow for the Atlanta Braves and their fans. After years of postseason consistency, the Braves stumbled to a fourth-place finish in the NL East and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. For a team that’s been a fixture in October, that’s a steep fall-and it didn’t happen without reason.
Injuries played a major role in derailing what looked like another promising campaign. Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, two key arms in the rotation, missed significant time, and their absences exposed the thin layer of depth behind them. Atlanta’s pitching staff, once a strength, was forced to lean heavily on unproven options, and the results were predictably uneven.
Offensively, the Braves weren’t spared either. Ronald Acuña Jr.-the engine of Atlanta’s lineup-hit the injured list, and his absence was felt immediately. Austin Riley also missed time, and when you combine that with inconsistent performances from regular contributors like Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies, it’s no surprise the offense couldn’t find its rhythm for long stretches.
Now, as the Braves look to regroup and retool for 2026, one area that clearly needs attention is shortstop. The team recently traded Nick Allen to the Astros in exchange for Mauricio Dubón, a move that adds a versatile glove to the infield. But if Atlanta is serious about contending again, that can’t be the final move.
Enter Ha-Seong Kim.
Kim, who joined the Braves late in the season after being claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays, is now a free agent. And there’s growing belief that bringing him back should be a top priority for Atlanta. According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, a reunion would be mutually beneficial.
Kim brings a lot to the table. He’s a steady presence with the glove, capable of playing above-average defense not just at shortstop, but also at second and third base.
That kind of flexibility is a manager’s dream, especially for a team that battled injuries all season long. Whether it’s filling in for Albies at second or giving Riley a breather at third, Kim can slide into multiple roles without missing a beat.
But Atlanta isn’t the only team eyeing Kim this offseason. The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly in the mix as well, and they could make a serious push. That means if the Braves want to keep Kim in the fold, they’ll need to act decisively-and show him just how much he matters to their plans moving forward.
This is more than just a depth signing. Kim is the kind of player who can quietly stabilize an infield and give a contending team the consistency it needs over a long season.
After a year where so much went wrong, the Braves have a chance to make a right move early in the offseason. Re-signing Kim wouldn’t just patch a hole-it would send a message that Atlanta is ready to get back to business.