The Braves are bringing back shortstop Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year, $20 million deal, and make no mistake-this is more than just a reunion. It’s a calculated bet on a player they believe can bounce back in a big way.
After declining a $16 million player option, Kim gets a $4 million raise and a chance to re-establish himself as one of the more dynamic infielders in the game. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated right-hander Osvaldo Bido for assignment.
Kim spent the final month of the 2025 season in Atlanta after being claimed off waivers from the Rays. At the time, the Braves were out of the playoff picture, so this wasn’t about a postseason push-it was about planting seeds.
The front office saw an opportunity to get Kim in the building, let him get a feel for the clubhouse, and maybe, just maybe, build a relationship strong enough to bring him back in 2026. That plan just paid off.
And while his overall numbers with Atlanta weren’t eye-popping-he slashed .253/.316/.368 in 98 plate appearances-they were a step up from the .214/.290/.321 line he posted in a tough, injury-riddled stint with Tampa Bay. Kim showed flashes of the player he’d been in San Diego, including a 10-game hitting streak in mid-September and hits in 15 of his first 19 games with the Braves. He cooled off late, going 1-for-19 in his final five games, but by then, the Braves had seen enough to believe in his upside.
That upside isn’t just theoretical. From 2022 through 2024 with the Padres, Kim was a steady contributor on both sides of the ball-an above-average hitter who brought plus defense all over the infield.
His time in San Diego ended abruptly in August 2024 when he tore the labrum in his right shoulder diving back into first base. That injury required surgery and ultimately led the Padres to pass on giving him a qualifying offer.
The Rays took a gamble last offseason, signing Kim to a two-year, $29 million deal with an opt-out. It was a puzzling move for a low-payroll team, especially since they knew he wouldn’t be available until midseason.
Kim didn’t debut until just before the All-Star break, and calf and back issues limited him further. In the end, Tampa paid over $11 million for just 24 games of replacement-level production.
When Atlanta scooped him up off waivers, the Rays were more than happy to shed the remaining salary.
Now, Kim enters 2026 expected to be fully healthy-and that’s where things get interesting. Despite the modest results this past season, there are signs his bat is trending in the right direction. He posted career-highs in average exit velocity and hard-hit rate, both encouraging indicators that his surgically repaired shoulder is holding up at the plate.
Defensively, there’s a bit more uncertainty. Statcast data showed his arm strength dipped by about four miles per hour in 2025.
That’s not insignificant, but it’s also not a red flag-he still threw harder on average than Gold Glove finalists like Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Taylor Walls. So while his arm may no longer be the cannon it once was, it’s more than serviceable on the left side of the infield.
Kim’s decision to sign a one-year deal rather than chase a multi-year offer speaks volumes. According to reports, he turned down longer-term deals from other clubs, opting instead to bet on himself and re-enter the market next winter.
The Tigers were the only other team publicly linked to him, though other infield-needy teams like the Giants and Pirates were reportedly in the mix. MLBTR had projected a two-year, $30 million deal with an opt-out after the first season.
Kim chose a cleaner path: one year, $20 million, and a chance to boost his stock.
His return locks him in as Atlanta’s everyday shortstop, pushing recent trade acquisition Mauricio Dubón into a utility role. Because the Braves acquired Kim during the season, they weren’t allowed to extend him a qualifying offer this offseason. But if he performs well and stays the full year, they’ll have that option next winter-giving them a shot at draft compensation if he signs elsewhere.
This move continues what’s been a busy offseason for Atlanta. Kim joins Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias, and Mike Yastrzemski as key additions, while Dubón’s final arbitration year adds another $6.1 million to the books. All told, the Braves have committed over $245 million in guaranteed salary for 2026, blowing past this year’s Opening Day payroll of around $208 million.
They’ve also crossed the luxury tax threshold. With Kim’s deal on the books, Atlanta’s Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) obligations sit around $255 million-$11 million over the $244 million threshold.
Because they stayed under the tax line in 2025, their payor status resets, meaning they’ll face a 20% tax rate on the overage. Right now, that’s about a $2.2 million bill, but that number could rise if they continue to spend, especially as they look to shore up a rotation that was decimated by injuries last season.
From a market perspective, Kim’s signing shifts the landscape. With him off the board, Bo Bichette stands alone as the top shortstop remaining in free agency.
Beyond that, it’s depth pieces like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Willi Castro. There aren’t many trade options either, which explains why Atlanta made sure to bring in Dubón as insurance in case Kim priced himself out of their range.
Instead, Kim is staying put-and for the Braves, that’s a win. They’re banking on a healthy shoulder, a return to form, and a shortstop who, when right, brings real impact on both sides of the ball. It’s a high-upside play from a team that’s clearly not content with sitting still.