Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Braves find their everyday shortstop in Ha-Seong Kim

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 8:52 AM ET

The Atlanta Braves have been busy rebuilding their roster this offseason to compete with the reigning National League East champs, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos already made a few shrewd signings this offseason, and he continued that trend by re-signing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to be their everyday shortstop in 2026.

According to the Braves, the deal is for only the 2026 season and pays him $20 million, which makes him one of the highest-paid shortstops.

Kim, 30, missed most of the 2025 season after recovering from shoulder surgery. He appeared in 48 total games, 24 with the Tampa Bay Rays (.214 average, .612 OPS) and 24 with the Braves (.253, .684).

#Braves Sign Ha-Seong Kim: pic.twitter.com/YCfjxrELaa
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 16, 2025

Ha-Seong Kim gives Braves an everyday SS and allows Mauricio Dubon to move around

Earlier in the offseason, the Braves traded for utility man Mauricio Dubon of the Houston Astros to give them someone whom new manager Walt Weiss can shuffle around the diamond. Kim re-signing would allow for that to happen, as he has been one of the best defensive shortstops in the game.

Infielder Nick Allen (who was in the Dubon deal) was the Braves' everyday shortstop in 2025, playing 130 of his 135 games there, and had a +14 defensive runs saved. However, Allen has never provided the bat necessary to play a premier position like shortstop, batting .221 with an OPS of .535.

Despite Kim being a similar hitter, he brings more pop with the bat (career-high 17 home runs in 2023) and has been an underrated baserunner (career-high 38 stolen bases in 2023). The Braves still have moves to make, but they’re in good shape to be better than they were in 2025 (76-86).

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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