​The piece originally appearing on The Sporting News examines the Braves’ $20 million infield signing and its reception at the All-Star break, highlighting it as a potential “massive whiff” for the Atlanta front office. The Sporting News is noted as a preferred source by clicking here. The Atlanta Braves remain among the top contenders in the National League, but the gap to rivals has narrowed with other teams closing in. Their NL East lead over the Philadelphia Phillies has shrunk to two games, while the Miami Marlins trail by four. A contributing factor to the Braves’ uneven first-half finish is the underperformance of several high-paid players. At the All-Star break, the team might be re-evaluating the decision to re-sign a former Gold Glove shortstop.
“It’s safe to chalk the [Ha-Seong] Kim trade and subsequent re-signing up as a massive whiff for the Braves front office,” FanSided’s Christopher Kline wrote on Sunday. “The process behind the move was understandable, even celebrated in the moment. But Kim has not held up his end of the bargain.” Kim, who signed for one year and $20 million, has appeared in only 27 games this season. Even when healthy, Kim has been a detriment to the Braves, recording just five hits with no extra-base hits in 82 plate appearances. His -30 OPS+ is a painful stat to digest. The piece questions whether it’s time for Atlanta to DFA the 30-year-old.
Shortstop remains a focal point for the Braves as the trade deadline approaches. While Jim Jarvis, the club’s 25-year-old rookie, has stepped in and performed credibly in recent weeks, the Braves likely need a more dependable option. Regardless of the outcome, it’s evident that Kim’s stint represents a misstep. The article anticipates the Braves will pursue a shortstop aggressively at the deadline, and it shouldn’t be hard to find a player with stronger offensive numbers than Kim’s.
The discussion also looks ahead to the possibility of choices beyond Kim. Rumors and chatter surface about potential alternatives, with various candidates being considered as the Braves weigh their options in pursuit of a more reliable offensive contributor at shortstop. The broader context suggests that, despite the current standings and the sizable investment in Kim, Atlanta could pivot to bolster the middle infield as the trade deadline nears, aiming to restore balance and productivity to the lineup.