The Atlanta Braves saw what Ha-Seong Kim could do for them at the highest level in the second half. Kim was initially with the Tampa Bay Rays, but was injured for much of the season. He only played in 24 games for the Rays before joining the Braves for 24 games as well.
Throughout his short sample size, Kim was above average, giving the Braves exactly what they needed up the middle.
When we also look at what he's done throughout the rest of his career, he's been about a 100-plus OPS+ hitter and one of the better defenders in baseball, winning a Gold Glove in 2023.
A free agent this winter, there are concerns about the Braves not keeping him. According to The Athletic’s David O'Brien, one of those worries is due to his agent, Scott Boras.
“On the one hand, there’s his close friendship with Braves left fielder Jurickson Profar from their years together as San Diego Padres, and the instant comfort level Kim felt in Atlanta among a genial group of teammates, including those introduced to him by Profar.
“On the other hand, there’s Boras’ assertion — accurate in this case — that Kim is the best defensive shortstop and arguably best all-around shortstop on the free-agent market. That’s because the only marquee free-agent shortstop, Bo Bichette, is a big-time hitter — far better offensively than Kim — but a below-average defender,” he wrote.
Boras' clients always get paid
Boras is the best agent in Major League Baseball for a reason and often gets all of his clients paid.
That's unfortunately something the Braves will have to work around, as Kim is going to take the top dollar that's offered to him.
There are other teams around Major League Baseball that could use a middle infielder, so it'll be something to watch out for in this scenario.
More Braves news:
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- Braves predicted to replace Ha-Seong Kim with 2-time World Series MVP, 5-time All-Star
- Braves insider questions if Walt Weiss was GM Alex Anthopoulos' first choice after long delay
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