The Atlanta Braves are entering the offseason with a clear understanding of which positions need attention, and the top priority is undoubtedly shortstop. Over the past two seasons, inconsistent play has made this a pressing need. While the Braves could bring back Ha-Seong Kim, time is running out quickly.
“The deadline for a decision from Kim is five days after the World Series concludes, meaning the Braves only have at most a couple more weeks to work out an extension with Kim before other teams come calling,” HTHB’s Chase Owens wrote. “The question is: can Anthopoulos get an offer on the table that would make Kim reconsider testing the market? Is four years, $90 million enough to get it done, or is Kim determined to see what other teams will offer, knowing the Braves should be there as a fallback?”
Failing to re-sign Kim could force the Braves to pursue Bo Bichette, but that comes with a hefty price tag.
“There’s no guarantee Atlanta would have wanted to add him with how high they value defense. If that wasn’t the case before, it probably is now. Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report predicted that Bichette will earn a seven-year, $180 million contract in the offseason,” HTHB’s Steven Teal wrote.
It appears the most sensible course of action is to bring Kim back—a sentiment shared by many insiders.
“Like Iglesias, this one feels relatively straightforward. Alex Anthopoulos made it clear during his end-of-season press conference that the team would love to bring Kim back. The Braves would love to get a deal done,” Sports Talk’s ATL Chase Irle wrote.
Bringing back Kim could be crucial for the Braves’ success next season. If a deal cannot be reached, it may pose a serious setback. Kim himself has expressed enjoyment during his time in Atlanta.
The Braves understand the risk of losing him; now it’s up to how far they are willing to go to secure his return.
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