Atlanta on high alert! Kim Ha-sung, RYU-class super-large contract rumors → His agent is Boras

Sep 22, 2025

Atlanta on high alert! Kim Ha-sung, RYU-class super-large contract rumors → His agent is Boras
The Atlanta Braves are on alert as Kim Ha-sung's ransom has soared.

The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, predicted on the 22nd (Korea time) that Kim Ha-sung is highly likely to execute the opt-out and that he can sign a $20 million (about 28 billion won) contract annually. AP Yonhap News



The Atlanta Braves are on alert as Kim Ha-sung's ransom soared.

The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, predicted on the 22nd (Korea time) that Kim Ha-sung is highly likely to execute the opt-out and that a $20 million (about 28 billion won) contract per year is possible.

$20 million a year is a big deal worth Ryu Hyun-jin (currently Huawei) in the past. Ryu Hyun-jin finished the 2019 season and became an FA. He signed a four-year $80 million contract (about 111 billion won) after moving from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays.




Kim Ha-sung's status has been restored to this extent in a short period of time.

The Athletic evaluated that the more time Kim Ha-sung spends in Atlanta, the more likely he is to reject the $16 million (about 22 billion won) option in 2026.

When Atlanta recruited Kim Ha-sung, the view that 'Gambling' prevailed.




Atlanta caught Kim Ha-sung released by Tampa Bay on the 2nd, a month before the regular season.

At that time, Atlanta took on a total of $18 million (about 25 billion won) from $2 million in the remaining 24 games to $16 million in 2026 annual salary.

However, next year's contract is a player option. Kim Ha-sung can refuse to execute the option and declare opt-out. When signing a contract with Tampa Bay, they agreed to one plus one year. However, as Kim Ha-sung was sluggish, the possibility of opt-out was forgotten.




Atlanta on high alert! Kim Ha-sung, RYU-class super-large contract rumors → His agent is Boras
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 21: Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Ozzie Albies #1 after a win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Duane Burleson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Duane Burleson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Atlanta on high alert! Kim Ha-sung, RYU-class super-large contract rumors → His agent is Boras
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 21: Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates after hitting home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on September 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Duane Burleson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Duane Burleson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Atlanta on high alert! Kim Ha-sung, RYU-class super-large contract rumors → His agent is Boras
Atlanta Braves' Ha-Seong Kim celebrates in the dugout after scoring the go-ahead run off a single hit by Jurickson Profar during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
However, as Kim Ha-sung performed very well after moving to Atlanta, he became a player worth $20 million a year. There is no reason for Kim Ha-sung to implement the $16 million annual salary option next year.

The Athletic could sign a multi-year contract worth more than $16 million annually if Kim Ha-sung is as healthy as he is now, even if his agent is not Scott Boras. But his agent is Boras. There is no agent who makes a bigger contract than that, he said, convinced of Kim Ha-sung's big hit.

The Athletic says there are at least five teams that need shortstop for the next season. It is highly likely that Kim Ha-sung will sign a contract worth more than $20 million annually. Of course, if Kim Ha-sung plays full-time in the 2026 season and comes to the FA market, he will be able to touch even more money, but it is not as certain as this year.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.