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Braves need to learn from Ha-Seong Kim mistake amid plans to fill their biggest role hole
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- Braves need to learn from Ha-Seong Kim mistake amid plans to fill their biggest role hole
Braves need to learn from Ha-Seong Kim mistake amid plans to fill their biggest role hole originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Atlanta Braves lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS in four games, and there were plenty of issues that the team is now going to need to address over the offseason.
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Looking to the starting rotation and bullpen is understandable, considering how shaky their pitching was during the series. But, the real issue for Atlanta is their shortstop position.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report highlighted shortstop and left field as the "biggest roster hole" the Braves will need to fill this offseason. But, to fix that issue, the Braves cannot repeat the mistake they made with Ha-Seong Kim.
Braves cannot fix shortstop problem with another Ha-Seong Kim solution
"Biggest Roster Hole: Shortstop/Left field," Miller writes. "... Even if they managed to re-sign Dubon, they'll need at least one other option in that LF/SS mix -- probably a right-handed hitting shortstop, with Yaz's left-handed bat starting in left against righties while that TBD SS typically starts against southpaws."
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Atlanta might be returning to a platoon infield/outfield situation next year, as Miller outlined. Kim would fit the bill, but he's not someone the Braves should consider bringing back.
He really struggled this season, and his one-year deal was a total failure for Atlanta. But deciding not to re-sign him should be a very obvious plan for the Braves' front office.
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The real lesson the Braves need to learn from the Kim mistake is not to overspend on a player who likely won't be a major positive offensively.
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Kim had a .684 OPS with the Braves as the 2025 MLB season came to a close, and the Braves massively overspent, signing him to a one-year, $20 million deal over the offseason.
Even if he hadn't gotten hurt and missed much of the 2026 season, it would've been way too much for someone who doesn't contribute much offensively.
The Braves in this upcoming offseason should learn from that mistake and avoid repeating a signing of someone like Kim. He's not a very productive hitter, so when the Braves are looking to fill that shortstop and/or left field hole, offense should take priority.
