Why Braves $20 million contract for Gold Glove shortstop is one of MLB's worst

The Atlanta Braves had to pivot at shortstop before the season began. 

Jorge Mateo signed a one-year deal with the NL East club right after Ha-Seong Kim's freak accident while ice skating. 

Mateo's tenure with the Braves didn't work out for both sides, and Kim's return wasn't any better. 

In fact, it was much worse. 

That's why Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter listed Kim's $20 million contract with Atlanta as one of the worst in the Majors. 

Kim is one of the more overpaid players in MLB 

"The Braves saw enough from Ha-Seong Kim in a 24-game audition down the stretch in 2025 to bring him back on a one-year, $20 million deal to serve as the team's primary shortstop," Reuter wrote. 

Whatever Atlanta's front office saw from Kim in 2025 has not resulted in production on the field this season. 

In 31 games this season, the former Gold Glove Award winner is hitting .066/.165/.066 with no extra-base hits in 85 plate appearances. 

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Those are terrible numbers for Kim, and it's hard not to wonder if the tendon he tore in his finger during the offseason is still bothering him. 

For now, the Braves are relying on Mauricio Dubon and Jim Jarvis to share shortstop duties. 

Would the Braves consider cutting ties with Kim, or is that far too much money to pay a player who won't be on the roster? 

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