Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos’ $20M Ha-Seong Kim signing could be a foreshadowed nightmare originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves had several goals this offseason, but one of the primary priorities was acquiring a shortstop with some offensive upside. Bo Bichette was a name to watch, but GM Alex Anthopoulos ultimately signed free agent Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract.

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“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. The Braves announced the new deal with Kim on Monday night,” ESPN wrote.

Kim joined the Braves in September and, at the conclusion of the season, expressed how much he enjoyed his time in Atlanta.

“‘It was great. I enjoyed it in Tampa Bay, but I think I had more fun and enjoyed playing baseball in Atlanta. I’m sorry I kept feeling unwell and in pain in Tampa Bay,’” Kim said.

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While signing Kim addresses the Braves’ shortstop dilemma for this season, it could present challenges next offseason.

“Kim decided to bet on himself and agreed to a one-year deal with the Braves which makes sense and Dubon is in his last year of arbitration. Normally this wouldn’t be a huge deal because while extensions for either player could be difficult to pull off, Atlanta could simply pivot to the free agent market or to internal options for a longer lasting solution. There is big issue with this shortstop plan. A quick look at next year’s free agent class of shortstops shows that the class of shortstops is actually worse than this year’s brutal market and the Braves would probably have to wait until after the 2027 season to find a quality shortstop,” HTHB’s Eric Cole wrote.

If Kim doesn’t receive an extension from Atlanta and has a strong year, his agent Scott Boras could pursue a high-market team, leaving the Braves in a precarious position unless they execute a trade.

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The Braves have struggled to find lasting success at the shortstop position over the past few seasons. Signing Kim to a one-year deal may solve this year’s problem, but it could prove risky in the long term.

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