The Atlanta Braves are heading toward the end of the season, but for the first time in several years, the playoffs aren’t in sight. What is on the radar, though, is a likely change at manager.
“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he's already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”
Another major focus is the starting shortstop position for next season. Recently, the Braves claimed Ha-Seong Kim off waivers, giving him an audition for 2026 and beyond.
“The Atlanta Braves, hoping to shore up an uncertain middle-infield situation for next season, claimed Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The 29-year-old Kim, who can play shortstop and second base, is owed roughly $2 million for the remainder of the 2025 season and another $16 million in 2026,” ESPN’s Aiden Gonzalez wrote.
While it was originally framed as a short-term audition, Kim immediately made an impact—breaking a long-standing curse and, in less than a week, seemingly earning the job for 2026.
“Atlanta wouldn’t have taken the gamble of claiming Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays if they weren’t certain that Kim would not opt out of the $16 million remaining in his contract for 2026,” wrote USA Today’s Bob Nightengale on Sunday. “Kim is definitely staying, and Atlanta has its shortstop. How badly is he needed? Atlanta’s shortstops were hitting .217 with a .249 slugging percentage and .524 OPS, easily the worst in baseball, before Kim’s arrival. They had gone the entire season without a homer from their shortstop position until Kim homered.”
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The Braves are hoping for a stronger 2026 campaign, and adding Kim certainly boosts their chances. He’s also a more affordable option compared to the big-name shortstops expected to hit free agency. Despite dealing with injuries throughout 2025, Kim looks like a smart addition—and next season could be his breakout year in Atlanta.