Braves predicted to trade for $4M highly athletic NL East rival, All-Star, former first round pick

The Atlanta Braves knew entering the offseason that shortstop was a major need. They started by acquiring Mauricio Dubón in a trade and later signed Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year deal.

“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,” ESPN wrote.

Kim’s return brought plenty of excitement, as he performed well during his month with the club last season. However, he suffered an injury back home during the offseason that will sideline him to begin the year.

“Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is expected to be sidelined four to five months after having surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger, the team said. The Braves said Kim suffered the injury in Korea and had the procedure Sunday in Atlanta,” ESPN wrote.

With Kim hurt, Atlanta will rely on Dubón and recently signed Jorge Mateo. ESPN’s David Schoenfield believes the Braves could explore a trade for Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams.

“Intradivision trades of this magnitude are rare, so the Braves would have to be desperate to add a shortstop. But they might be desperate. After signing Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract, Kim slipped on ice while home in Korea and tore a tendon in his right middle finger, leaving him out until June or so. The Braves can patch shortstop with utility guys Mauricio Dubon and Jorge Mateo until Kim's return, but given that Kim has now been injured three seasons in a row and they've struggled to fill shortstop since Dansby Swanson left for the Chicago Cubs, maybe Atlanta will pay the price to get a more permanent solution,” Schoenfield wrote.

Abrams has multiple years remaining on his contract and would be relatively affordable before reaching arbitration. The Braves have dealt with inconsistencies at shortstop, and while Abrams may not be the elite defender Atlanta typically prefers at the position, he does bring an impactful bat—something that has been lacking there.

Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known for making aggressive moves when he believes they will benefit the team. Adding Abrams could provide much-needed stability at shortstop, something Atlanta has been searching for for quite some time.

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