At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑

Sep 23, 2025

At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑
Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung scored with Michael Harris II's double after hitting in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on the 23rd (Korea time) and is high-fiving with his teammates. AFP Yonhap News



At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑
Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung hits a left-handed hit in the bottom of the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on the 23rd (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News
Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung is highly likely to opt out as he has been active every day at the end of the season.

Kim Ha-sung, who signed a $29 million FA contract with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this year, has a $16 million player option at stake next season. In other words, he can play for Atlanta for another year with this salary.

When he was announced as a waver from Tampa Bay earlier this month and moved to Atlanta, there seemed to be no room for opt-out. This is because he had shoulder surgery in October last year and spent the first half of this year in rehabilitation, and even after returning in early July, he struggled with frequent injuries. The prevailing view was that it would be difficult to turn the situation around by coming to Atlanta.




But that was not the case. This is creating an atmosphere in which many clubs can offer in the FA market. In particular, Atlanta clubs are highly satisfied.

At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑
Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung handles CJ Abrams' fly in the top of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on the 23rd (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News
In the first game of the three consecutive home games against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on the 23rd (Korea time), Kim Ha-sung started as the fifth shortstop and played one hit, one walk, and two points in four at-bats, helping him win 11-5.

As a result, Kim Ha-sung scored 10 consecutive hits since the Houston Astros game on the 14th and 9 consecutive games since the Houston Astros game on the 15th. His performance for the season is 0.257 (39 hits in 152 times at bat), 5 homers, 17 RBIs, 19 runs, 15 walks, 6 steals, and OPS 0.709.




In the last 10 games, he has batted .378 (14 hits in 37 at-bats), two homers, eight RBIs and 12 runs scored. Since moving to Atlanta, he has a batting average of 0.309 (21 hits in 68 at-bats), three homers, 12 RBIs, 14 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.828 in 19 games. Atlanta has won nine consecutive games so far, so Kim Ha-sung is 'Happiness'.

Atlanta coach Brian Snitker said in an interview with local media that `He's amazing. When he first came here, he asked me to tell him if he needed a day off. He has never expressed his unwillingness to go on the ground for a moment. It's adding a lot to our power. It's really nice."

"I don't think there are any questions about Kim Ha-sung's health and injury," Snitker said. He's a great player. Basically a player who is positive and knows how to play. It's good to have him as a player."




At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑
Atlanta Director Brian Snitker. AP Yonhap News
Regarding Kim Ha-sung's future after the season on the 22nd, local media The Athletic said that if Kim Ha-sung is as healthy as he is now, he can be offered a multi-year contract of more than $16 million in average annual salary (AAV) even if his agent is not Scott Boras. But he is a customer of Boras. It should be considered that AAV is pursuing a contract worth more than $20 million. In particular, there are five teams that need shortstop next year. 'Kim Ha-sung, who turns 30 now, may play for Atlanta for another year in good health and go to the FA market to secure a bigger contract, but that could be dangerous and reduce the demand for shortstop.' In other words, knocking on the FA market this winter is safe and has a high chance of a big hit.

The media outlet said that since the Braves want to keep Kim Ha-sung next year, there is a possibility that he will offer a multi-year contract before deciding whether to choose a player option next year. '$65 million for three years could be the minimum starting point for negotiations. 'If you want to sign a one-year contract, you'll have to offer an amount higher than the option price ($16 million), then his FA value could be higher over the next year'

At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑
Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung celebrates with Jurickson Profar and Ronald Acuña Jr. after winning the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on the 23rd (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News
At least 5 teams want Kim Ha-sung, ATL again hit the ground and don't regret it, and it's a pressure opt-out atmosphere to spend money ↑
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson. AP Yonhap News
2022 is the last time Atlanta's outstanding shortstop has played. Dansby Swanson, who has been a key player since 2017, played for six seasons, became an FA and moved to the Chicago Cubs at the end of that year for seven years and $177 million. At that time, shortstop 'Big4' poured into the FA market. It was Trey Turner (Philadelphia, $300 million for 11 years), Xander Bogaerts (San Diego, $280 million for 11 years), Carlos Correa (Minnesota, $200 million for 6 years), and Swanson.

Swanson hit the FA jackpot by shooting career highs for two consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, he marked a batting average of 0.277 (177 hits in 640 at-bats), 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, 99 runs, 18 steals, and 0.776 OPS, and won his first career Gold Glove, raising FA value to the fullest.

At the time, Atlanta offered six years and $100 million, but it was far from Swanson's requirements. From 2023 to this year after Swanson's departure, the Atlanta shortstop position was the most vulnerable position on offense. In particular, until Kim Ha-sung came this season, the shortstop's total OPS was 0.524, ranking last in all 30 clubs. In particular, Atlanta shortstop did not hit a single home run.

However, since the problem has been solved at once for three weeks since Kim Ha-sung was recruited, the local atmosphere is that it is rather strange if it is not tied up with a multi-year contract.

If Kim Ha-sung continues his strong force in hitting the rest of the game, chances are high that he will exercise the opt-out after the World Series. Boras in particular will encourage it.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.