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Evaluating contract projections for Ha-Seong Kim

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 1:03 PM ET

Given the almost non-existent market for shortstops in this year’s free agent class, Ha-Seong Kim made the easy decision yesterday to opt out of his $16 million player option with the Atlanta Braves and test free agency. He’s certain to secure a multi-year contract, perhaps even one that exceeds his option from an AAV standpoint, and the Braves don’t really have a choice but to put their best foot forward in negotiations.

Atlanta is desperate for stability at shortstop — a void that has lingered since Dansby Swanson’s departure following the 2022 season. They can’t continue to rely on journeymen to fill arguably the most important position on the field. Kim represents an ideal stopgap solution who can hold things down until one of the Braves’ top prospects proves ready to take over. Still, as always this time of year, everything will come down to price.

Contract Predictions From Ha-Seong Kim

All three projections fall in a similar range, and if that’s truly what it takes to land Kim, I’d expect a deal to get done with Atlanta.

However, not everyone agrees that the market will settle that low. The Athletic’s David O’Brien believes Kim could command a deal worth more than $20 million annually, a price point that could easily push the Braves out of the running.

As expected, Ha-Seong Kim declined his $16M player option for 2026 and is a free agent. It was expected because the shortstop free-agent market is so thin and he showed in his four weeks with #Braves that he’s healthy again. I would guess at least $20M AAV in multi-year deal.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 3, 2025

Call me crazy — and desperate teams make horrendous decisions all the time — but I find it extremely hard to believe Ha-Seong Kim will land a deal exceeding three years or $60 million. This is a player who appeared in just 48 games last season and didn’t exactly light it up, hitting .234 with five home runs and a .649 OPS while providing below-average defense at shortstop.

Sure, there’s reason to believe Kim will look better next season now that he’s healthy, and yes, the shortstop market this offseason is dreadful. But if teams start throwing $20+ million annually at him, that’s a gamble I’d steer clear of, and one the Braves almost certainly will as well.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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