Ha-Seong Kim’s arrival with the Atlanta Braves injected a little bit of energy into a fanbase desperate for reasons to stay engaged during a disappointing 2025 season.
With just a few weeks left in the season, all eyes have shifted from what Kim is doing to what he might do: Will he opt into his $16 million player option for 2026, or test the free agency market?
Early signs pointed to Kim staying. He missed the start of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery and has been dealing with an injury report that reads like a CVS receipt: back, foot, calf, hamstring — all nagging issues that typically scare off long-term suitors. The logical assumption was that he’d pick up his option, use 2026 to reestablish his value, and hit the market healthier and stronger a year from now.
But “logical” doesn’t always hold in a market where Scott Boras is calling the shots, and the league is starving for shortstop talent.
In a recent report, Braves insider Mark Bowman gave fans a reality check: Don’t be shocked if Kim goes to free agency anyway. He’d be one of the most complete shortstops on the market — and easily the best defender. And in an otherwise thin free agent class, scarcity alone could inflate his value beyond what that $16M player option is offering.
Still, it’s not a slam dunk. Bowman’s take, while cautiously open to the possibility of Kim leaving, outlines the flip side: If Kim’s body falters again, or he cools off at the plate down the stretch, his camp may decide that the risk of free agency isn’t worth it — not this offseason.
Could the Braves Try To Lock Him Down Long-Term?
It’s possible. Atlanta has a track record of locking up players they like, and Kim’s chemistry with clubhouse leader Jurickson Profar doesn’t hurt. But negotiating extensions with Boras clients is notoriously difficult — and historically rare. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but it does mean fans shouldn’t hold their breath.
If Kim finishes strong, the odds shift toward an opt-out and a likely departure. If he fades, he may stick around for one more year. The middle ground? That gray area where he’s just okay and the choice isn’t obvious? That’s where things get tricky, and that’s where Atlanta’s front office might have to get aggressive.
One thing is clear: The Braves took a flier on Ha-Seong Kim, and it might cost them. In a season filled with questions, this may end up being the biggest one yet.
