Ha-Seong Kim Turned Down 4-Year Offer to Take 1-Year Deal

How much did Ha-Seong Kim want to remain with the Atlanta Braves? Enough that he turned down about $30 million on the free agent market to accept their one-year deal. According to insider Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic, Kim's agent Scott Boras undoubtedly had a major influence on the shortstop's decision to turn down an extra three years of security.

The Athletics tried for free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, offering him a four-year, $48 million contract with room to grow, according to a person briefed on the discussions. Kim, 30, instead opted for a one-year, $20 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, and the chance to return to the open market next season.
His choice followed a familiar pattern for Boras clients. Rather than sign long-term under unfavorable market conditions, Kim will seek to realize his full value at a later time.

Kim had declined his player option for $16 million for 2026, but stays with Atlanta with a $4M raise, and a "prove-it" deal that lets him hit the free-agent market again next winter. This kind of contract is a staple for Boras's clients. In some cases, it's paid off handsomely. In others, however, it's flopped and cost his clients millions.

If Kim, 30, isn't able to recapture his old form, he'll have left close to $30 million on the table.

Kim is coming off pretty much a lost season in 2025, in which he was only able to play 48 games, 24 each for the Tampa Bay Rays and the Braves. His season only began in July after coming off right labrum surgery and dealing with low back inflammation.

The A's wanted Kim to play second base. With Atlanta, he'll be slotted in as the everyday shortstop. That is his preferable position choice, and his most natural one. The Korean infielder can also play second and third base, and in fact won a Gold Glove at the Utility spot in 2023 with the San Diego Padres. That was also his best year in the big leagues offensively, with 17 homers, 38 stolen bases and a .749 OPS. He even got some down-ballot MVP votes that year.

This past season, he batted .234 overall with a .649 OPS, but things were looking up a bit after his arrival in Atlanta, where he his .253 with 12 RBIs in 24 games.