Braves-Nationals trade pitch sends $4.2M All-Star to Atlanta as Ha-Seong Kim successor

The Atlanta Braves are still waiting to get fully healthy. Every time they bring an important player back from injury, it seems another key contributor goes down.

The Braves are close to getting their shortstop back in Ha-Seong Kim, who suffered an injury back home during the offseason. Kim has also been performing well during his rehab assignment in Triple-A.

“Reliever Dylan Dodd and infielder Ha-Seong Kim impressed with Gwinnett today. Both players are on rehab assignments and will help fortify Atlanta’s depth when they are ready to be activated,” Battery Power’s DJourn wrote.

Even though the Braves are preparing to get Kim back, he is only on a one-year deal worth significant money. Kim is set to earn $20 million for the season.

“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.

If the Kim plan doesn’t work out, the Braves may need a contingency option. One potential target could be Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams.

“But the Braves desperately need a shortstop. Adding Abrams would bolster their roster in a huge way. The Braves are one of the best teams in the league right now, and their future looks just as bright. Trading for Abrams, even if it costs a haul of prospects, would help the team now and for the next few years,” SI’s Zach Pressnell wrote.

The only concern for Atlanta is that Abrams is not known for elite defense at shortstop, and the organization typically prioritizes glove-first players at the position.

However, Abrams brings a strong offensive profile that would fit well into the Braves’ already dangerous lineup. Acquiring him would be difficult, but he is under team control for three more seasons beyond this year. The Nationals would likely demand a significant prospect haul, while the Braves would be solidifying a long-term answer at shortstop.

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