The Atlanta Braves may be in the market for a new shortstop this offseason. Last season, the Braves moved on from Orlando Arcia and picked up Ha-Seong Kim. Kim has declined his player option and is now a free agent.
Kim was solid for the Braves at shortstop, and perhaps a reunion is possible. However, the former Gold Glover is not the Braves’ only option. Obviously, Bo Bichette is also a free agent, but the Braves could explore the trade market. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted the Braves would swing a blockbuster trade for Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers.
“While he has spent the past five seasons at second base, he was a shortstop for the first six full seasons of his big league career, and has always been a strong defender up the middle,” wrote Reuter. “The Atlanta Braves have a glaring need at shortstop, and showed a willingness to buy low on a high-priced veteran with their deal to acquire Chris Sale a few years ago. If they can’t come to terms on a new deal with Ha-Seong Kim, Semien could be an outside-the-box solution to their shortstop problem.”
Semien is a three-time All-Star, World Series champion, two-time Gold Glover and two-time Silver Slugger. He has three seasons remaining on his seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers.
Last season, he had just a .669 OPS in 127 games. However, he was an All-Star in three of the previous four seasons. He has finished third in MVP voting three times in his career as well. The 35-year-old may no longer be in his prime, but he can still be a solid player for the Braves, who have a hole in the infield.
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