Atlanta Braves Sign Ha-Seong Kim for $20 Million, Faces Criticism
The Atlanta Braves have signed infielder Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year contract worth $20 million, a move that has drawn significant scrutiny. Coming off a disappointing 76-86 season and missing the postseason, the Braves are making efforts to improve their roster. While the franchise has made moves to address some gaps, including the signings of Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez, the decision to invest heavily in Kim has raised eyebrows among analysts.
According to Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report, the deal for Kim is viewed as a considerable overpay. He noted that while the Braves may have opted for the premium price to secure a one-year commitment, the financial implications could have been directed towards more impactful free agents. Kelly stated, “The Braves likely paid a bit of a premium so that they only had to commit to one year with Kim. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking there’s no such thing as a bad one-year deal, particularly when Atlanta signed Kim over potentially making a play for Bo Bichette.”
Bichette, a notable name in the league, remains available and is projected to shift to second base by 2026. Many believe Atlanta could have leveraged their resources more effectively in pursuit of such high-profile talent, rather than focusing on Kim.
As the Braves continue their offseason revamp, attention is expected to shift towards bolstering their pitching staff. The team may seek to secure another frontline starter to enhance a rotation that will face tough competition in the National League East. Speculation suggests that the Braves could explore deals with pitchers like Chris Bassitt or Mitch Keller in the coming weeks.
Overall, while the Braves are taking steps to improve their roster, the financial decisions surrounding the Kim contract highlight the challenges they face in building a competitive team. The front office appears poised to make further moves that will shape the team’s future as they aim to return to postseason contention.
