Braves make Mauricio Dubon plan crystal clear amid Ha-Seong Kim injury, $1M Jorge Mateo decision

Hunter Cookston

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Braves make Mauricio Dubon plan crystal clear amid Ha-Seong Kim injury, $1M Jorge Mateo decision image

The Atlanta Braves appeared to have much of their offseason mapped out, moving quickly and strategically with their acquisitions. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos knew exactly what he was targeting and  signed Ha-Seong Kim.

“Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is returning to the Atlanta Braves, agreeing Monday to a one-year, $20 million contract that addressed a major offseason priority for the team. Kim gets a $4 million raise. He had declined a $16 million player option that was in the two-year, $29 million contract he signed in February with Tampa Bay, a deal that paid him $13 million,” ESPN wrote.

However, bad news followed when it was revealed that Kim is injured and will miss significant time. The good news for the Braves is that they also traded for utility man Mauricio Dubón.

“The Atlanta Braves are acquiring infielder Mauricio Dubón from the Houston Astros for infielder Nick Allen,” ESPN insider Jeff Passan wrote.

With Dubón coming in, his role was not clearly defined at first, but after Kim’s injury, the Braves decided to sign Jorge Mateo as well.

“Mateo is a solid pickup in response to Kim's injury. He's a good pinch running option. 84.1 SB% (95-for-113) going back to his 35 SB season w/ BAL in 2022. His presence will allow Dubon to move around late as well. For example, if Yaz is PH for vs. A LHR, Dubon could go to LF,” Braves reporter Mark Bowman wrote.

It now seems the plan is crystal clear for Dubón: he will be used all over the field, but is expected to open the season as the starting shortstop. The Braves haven’t even reached Spring Training yet, and injuries are already creating challenges.

Dubón is a Gold Glove winner, so the defense will once again be a strength for Atlanta, though the bat may continue to be a question mark until Kim returns. While Kim’s injury is a blow, it has also clarified how the Braves intend to deploy Dubón moving forward.

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