The Atlanta Braves are on alert as Kim Ha-sung’s ransom has soared.
The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, predicted on the 22nd (Korea time) that Kim Ha-sung is highly likely to execute the opt-out and that he can sign a $20 million (about 28 billion won) contract annually. AP Yonhap News
The Atlanta Braves are on alert as Kim Ha-sung’s ransom soared.
The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, predicted on the 22nd (Korea time) that Kim Ha-sung is highly likely to execute the opt-out and that a $20 million (about 28 billion won) contract per year is possible.
$20 million a year is a big deal worth Ryu Hyun-jin (currently Huawei) in the past. Ryu Hyun-jin finished the 2019 season and became an FA. He signed a four-year $80 million contract (about 111 billion won) after moving from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Kim Ha-sung’s status has been restored to this extent in a short period of time.
The Athletic evaluated that the more time Kim Ha-sung spends in Atlanta, the more likely he is to reject the $16 million (about 22 billion won) option in 2026.
When Atlanta recruited Kim Ha-sung, the view that ‘Gambling’ prevailed.
Atlanta caught Kim Ha-sung released by Tampa Bay on the 2nd, a month before the regular season.
At that time, Atlanta took on a total of $18 million (about 25 billion won) from $2 million in the remaining 24 games to $16 million in 2026 annual salary.
However, next year’s contract is a player option. Kim Ha-sung can refuse to execute the option and declare opt-out. When signing a contract with Tampa Bay, they agreed to one plus one year. However, as Kim Ha-sung was sluggish, the possibility of opt-out was forgotten.
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 21: Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Ozzie Albies #1 after a win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Duane Burleson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Duane Burleson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 21: Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates after hitting home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on September 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Duane Burleson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Duane Burleson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Atlanta Braves’ Ha-Seong Kim celebrates in the dugout after scoring the go-ahead run off a single hit by Jurickson Profar during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
However, as Kim Ha-sung performed very well after moving to Atlanta, he became a player worth $20 million a year. There is no reason for Kim Ha-sung to implement the $16 million annual salary option next year.
The Athletic could sign a multi-year contract worth more than $16 million annually if Kim Ha-sung is as healthy as he is now, even if his agent is not Scott Boras. But his agent is Boras. There is no agent who makes a bigger contract than that, he said, convinced of Kim Ha-sung’s big hit.
The Athletic says there are at least five teams that need shortstop for the next season. It is highly likely that Kim Ha-sung will sign a contract worth more than $20 million annually. Of course, if Kim Ha-sung plays full-time in the 2026 season and comes to the FA market, he will be able to touch even more money, but it is not as certain as this year.