ATL, I'm sure Ha-sung will stay. Will he? At the end of the season, the explosive FA shortstop became precious

Sep 19, 2025

Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung smiles on the first base when he hit a timely hit in the top of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on the 18th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News

Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung hits a hit in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on the 18th (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News

Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung has been impressive every day since his transfer, raising the prospect of knocking on the FA market again this winter.

Local media Sports Illustrated (IS) reported on the 18th (Korea time) 'Kim Ha-sung's player option is becoming increasingly important to the BravesIn an article titled ', he explored the possibility of whether Kim Ha-sung will give up the $16 million player option and go to the FA market next year.

The media said, "'Kim Ha-sung holds the ball in this offseason, but the decision is becoming more important to the Atlanta club as the day goes by.'" Kim Ha-sung completely turned the situation of shortstop, Atlanta's most vulnerable position. He hit .327 with an OPS of .794 with one home run and eight RBIs since joining Atlanta. He predicted that if he believes this performance could bring him a better contract, he will opt out.

Kim Ha-sung was announced on waivers at the Tampa Bay Rays on the 2nd. Tampa Bay announced its intention to transfer Kim Ha-sung's ransom, which amounts to $13 million this year and $16 million next year, to the light bulb group for the sake of the 'salary dump'. However, Atlanta took over Kim Ha-sung's contract intact by making a waiver claim as if it had been waiting.

Kim Ha-sung was registered on Atlanta's 26-man active roster on the 3rd, and he started as the sixth shortstop against the Chicago Cubs and hit two hits, making a hot transfer announcement.

Kim Ha-sung. AP Yonhap News

Kim Ha-sung, who had been on the ups and downs, continued his six-game hitting streak from the Houston Astros on the 14th to the Washington Nationals on the 18th, raising his batting average to 0.327 and OPS to 0.794, respectively, after moving to Atlanta. In the game against Washington on the day, he took the lead in the 9-4 victory with two hits, one walk, two RBIs and two runs from four times at bat.

SI said, "'Atlanta wants Kim Ha-sung to play hard for a better contract while receiving $16 million by invoking the player option next year.'" Of course, even if he chooses to opt out, he does not completely break up. I can offer him a multi-year contract, and that's the best scenario for Atlanta.

The key is the FA shortstop market this winter. The general observation is that there are few FA shortstop who have the ability to airlift. Therefore, the possibility of Kim Ha-sung testing the FA market cannot be ruled out. Atlanta is also keeping an eye on this.

striker Kim Ha-sung and second baseman Azi Albis. AP Yonhap News

SI said that if Kim Ha-sung chooses to stay, Atlanta can turn its attention to strengthening the starting lineup, and added that dialogue between the two sides seems necessary if we look at the situation so far.

Another media outlet, USA Today, said on the 15th that `Atlanta would not have taken the risk of recruiting Kim Ha-sung, who the Tampa Bay Rays released on waivers if he was not convinced that he would not give up his $16 million player option next year.' `Kim Ha-sung will surely remain in Atlanta and play shortstop next year as well. How much did Atlanta need him? Prior to Kim Ha-sung's arrival, Atlanta shortstop was the worst position in the major leagues with a batting average of 0.217, a slugging percentage of 0.249, and an OPS of 0.524. Even before Kim Ha-sung hit it, he couldn't hit a single home run.

In other words, Kim Ha-sung will not opt out and execute the player option as it is.

Atlanta Braves Kim Ha-sung scores in the top of the 6th inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on the 18th (Korea time) and high-fives with his teammates. AFP Yonhap News

Another media outlet, SportsTalk ATL.com, cited Kim Ha-sung as a candidate for Atlanta to sign an extension contract after this season, saying, "'After the Braves brought Kim Ha-sung to Waver Claim, he is drawing attention at shortstop position' and 'Gold Glove-winning defender Kim Ha-sung has been hitting hard every day since moving to Atlanta. Not a Barry Bondsweight figure, but it's excellent compared to what the Braves got in the shortstop position after missing Dansby Swanson (Cubs) to the FA. There are some risks considering his injury history, but for Atlanta, he said he was willing to take a gamble not to see Orlando Arcia and Nick Allin play shortstop.

In other words, Atlanta, which highly values Kim Ha-sung, is expected to be tied into a long-term contract in any form.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.