Braves get B+ grade from ESPN for Ha-Seong Kim $20 million contract

Matt Sullivan

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Braves get B+ grade from ESPN for Ha-Seong Kim $20 million contract image

The Atlanta Braves have made a few key additions this winter, with the return of Raisel Iglesias, the signing of Robert Suarez, and Mike Yastrzemski being quality moves this winter.

But one of the most important moves was the free agent contract handed out to shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. It's a one-year, $20 million prove-it deal for Kim, and the Braves now have a shortstop for 2026.

For ESPN's David Schoenfield, this free agent signing is a worthwhile one. Despite the lofty contract for a rental, Schoenfield gave the Braves a lot of praise for this deal, grading it a "B+" for a signing that "needed to happen."

Braves get B+ grade from ESPN on Ha-Seong Kim deal

"If this seems like an inflated grade for a player who feels a bit overpaid coming off an injury-riddled season of 0.3 bWAR," Schoenfield writes, "I direct you to last week's assessment of Atlanta's deal with Mike Yastrzemski..."

Singing a player coming off a 0.3 bWAR season to a $20 million deal is not a small amount to pay for such a player. But this contract received a B+ from Schoenfield thanks to the Braves being able to move Mauricio Dubon to his ideal super-utility role.

Being able to put their players in the best position possible is always the ideal for a team. Kim's deal with Atlanta will allow the Braves to make such a choice with Dubon, who now can move around with Kim locking down shortstop.

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"Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Kim had multiyear offers on the table, so, given that leverage, Atlanta ends up paying a $4 million premium to retain Kim's services above the option-year payout." Schoenfield writes. "This needed to happen."

Kim got a $4 million raise, and the Braves were able to keep Kim on a one-year rental. If he performs well, then the $20 million deal would be well worth it for Atlanta, and if he struggles, then it's just a one-year issue to deal with.

The Braves needed to add a shortstop this winter, and filling that need with someone the team is familiar with is part of why the Braves received a boost in grade for this deal.

Atlanta has made almost all of the moves they've needed to make this winter, with a starting pitcher likely the last remaining need for the Braves. Kim is a great signing for the Braves, and Schoenfield views it as such with a B+ grade.

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Staff Writer