It’s official, Ha-Seong Kim is staying with the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves announced that they’ve re-signed the 30-year-old infielder to a one-year, $20 million deal, just weeks after Kim declined a $16 million player option for 2026. That decision initially raised eyebrows, but it now appears to have been a calculated gamble that paid off.
A Year Derailed by Injuries and Uncertainty
It’s a notable twist for Kim, whose 2025 season was derailed by a perfect storm of physical setbacks. After undergoing shoulder surgery the previous October, Kim’s debut with the Rays was delayed until July. From there, a strained calf, followed by two stints on the injured list with back issues, limited him to just 48 games, 24 with Tampa Bay and 24 with Atlanta, who claimed him off waivers on September 1.
The numbers were underwhelming. Kim slashed .234/.304/.345 with an OPS+ of 83, adding five home runs and little defensive value (-3 Outs Above Average). It was a far cry from the standard he’d set in prior seasons.
A Glimpse of who Ha-Seong Kim was and Could Be Again
But that’s what makes this signing all the more intriguing.
This version of Ha-Seong Kim, a physically limited one, shaking off rust after major surgery, was not the same player Major League Baseball had come to expect. Just a year prior, in 2023, Kim had broken out in a big way. He launched a career-best 17 homers, swiped 38 bases, posted a .749 OPS, and delivered 5.4 bWAR, all while playing elite defense across the infield. He capped it off with a Gold Glove award as a utilityman.
That surge came after years of steady play since joining the Padres from Korea’s KBO on a four-year, $28 million deal in December 2020. Across his first four MLB seasons, Kim compiled a .242/.326/.380 slash line with 47 home runs, 78 steals, and 23 Outs Above Average, a rock-solid résumé, especially considering his adaptability across the diamond.
A Calculated Gamble with High Upside
Atlanta is clearly betting on a rebound, and they’re paying a premium to get it. A $20 million commitment for a player coming off a down year signals more than just a hunch. It suggests confidence in Kim’s health, his defensive versatility, and perhaps most importantly, his ability to regain the spark that made him one of the most dynamic two-way infielders in the league just two seasons ago.
The Braves’ infield, already brimming with talent, now adds a proven veteran presence with upside. If Kim returns to form, this deal could prove to be one of the offseason’s shrewder short-term moves. If not, Atlanta’s deep roster may be able to absorb the cost.
But make no mistake: this is a swing with purpose. Kim’s story isn’t finished. Not by a long shot. When Dylan Wu stood over a 20-foot birdie putt with a PGA Tour card hanging in the balance, there was no room for second place. It was sudden death, one hole, one chance, and the 29-year-old delivered.
