ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will return to the Braves on a one-year, $20 million deal, the team announced Monday.
Kim played the final month of the 2025 season with the Braves after being claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The 30-year-old added some much-needed stability and power to the shortstop position. In 24 appearances, he batted .253/.316/.368 with three home runs and 12 RBIs.
Kim’s three home runs were the only ones hit by a Braves shortstop in 2025.
Kim gets a $4 million raise. He had declined a $16 million player option from the $29 million, two-year contract he agreed to in February with Tampa Bay, a deal that paid him $13 million.
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The Braves are certainly hoping for a return to form from Kim in 2026. The South Korean native racked up 15.1 bWAR over four years with the Padres, including a Gold Glove in 2023.
The signing ends some uncertainty for the Braves at shortstop and fills a major hole in the lineup.
The return of Kim means Mauricio Dubón, acquired from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an exchange of infielders on Nov. 19, likely will be available in a utility role instead of being relied on to be the starter at shortstop.
Dubón, 31, appeared in 133 games with Houston last season and batted .241 while earning his second Gold Glove, each time as a utility infielder. He also won a Gold Glove in 2023.