Kim Ha-sung FA's biggest fish evaluation is a reversal, thank you so much for releasing TB...It may be possible to sign a multi-year contract of 139.3 billion won
Sep 22, 2025
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It took less than a month. Shortstop Kim Ha-sung (Atlanta Braves) made a reservation for the largest shortstop in the FA market in the coming winter with an active performance that completely eliminated the sadness of his release. The Tampa Bay Rays, who gave up Kim Ha-sung, are now really grateful.
Kim Ha-sung moved from Tampa Bay to Atlanta on the 2nd (Korea time) due to a waivers claim. Kim Ha-sung signed a two-year FA contract with Tampa Bay for a total of $29 million (about 40.4 billion won) ahead of last season. Kim Ha-sung, who was evaluated as possible to sign a $100 million contract, plunged in value as he underwent surgery for a fatal shoulder injury at the end of last season.
Kim Ha-sung had no choice but to accept Tampa Bay's proposal because he needed rehabilitation and preparation for his return until early this season. It is true that it fell far short of the amount I dreamed of, but for Tampa Bay, a small market team, it was a bet with all its might. Kim Ha-sung received the highest salary among Tampa Bay players this year.
Tampa Bay couldn't afford to wait enough for Kim Ha-sung because they gave him special treatment at the club level. First of all, his performance was only 0.214 (18 hits in 84 at-bats), two home runs, five RBIs, and an OPS of 0.611 in 24 games. In addition, Kim Ha-sung was repeatedly on the injured list due to minor injuries such as calf and waist. Kim Ha-sung also confessed that he had a quite lonely time because he didn't have a close player in Tampa Bay and didn't speak English well.
The transfer to Atlanta was a fate for Kim Ha-sung. It was a win-win for each other. Atlanta tried gambling on Kim Ha-sung at a time when it was struggling because the main shortstop did not appear, but it couldn't be better. Kim Ha-sung hit .313 (20 for 64) with three home runs, 12 RBIs and an OPS of 0.839 in 18 games he played for Atlanta. His excellent defense as a shortstop no longer needs to be explained. Atlanta immediately responded that it wanted to use Kim Ha-sung as a shortstop in 2026 as it had a lot of energy on the ground, including active base play.
Atlanta decided to recruit Kim Ha-sung and pay him $2 million (about 2.7 billion won) with 24 games left this season. It is part of Kim Ha-sung's annual salary of 13 million dollars (about 18.1 billion won) this year. Atlanta will preserve the contract between Tampa Bay and Kim Ha-sung, so if Kim Ha-sung wants to execute the $16 million option in 2026, Atlanta must accept it. The risk Atlanta had to take was a total of $18 million (25 billion won).
Considering Kim Ha-sung's career, $18 million is a very low cost.
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Kim Ha-sung quickly emerged as the biggest shortstop FA fish as he proved that there are no health issues, including shoulders, in Atlanta.
Major League website MLB.com showed another reason why Atlanta shortstop should be Kim Ha-sung next year by hitting two home runs while Atlanta achieved a series sweep this weekend. The 29-year-old veteran looked to be a top FA target if he turned down the $16 million option in 2026.
The way Atlanta can tie Kim Ha-sung before he receives market evaluation is, after all, an extension contract. If Kim Ha-sung, whose value plummeted after being released from Tampa Bay, appeals to the fact that he provided an opportunity to rebound, he can gain an advantage in competition with other clubs.
Another great advantage is that Atlanta has Jurickson Profar, who has been close friends with Kim Ha-sung since he was in San Diego. Profar helped quickly melt into Atlanta by taking special care of Kim Ha-sung, who joined from Tampa Bay. In the locker room, Kim Ha-sung is also sitting next to Profar. Since Kim Ha-sung lives abroad, his relationship with his colleagues has no choice but to affect his performance.
MLB.com added 'Atlanta can tie Kim Ha-sung to a multi-year contract before he is released as the FA's biggest fish. Clubs that want to recruit other potential Kim Ha-sung cannot enjoy the advantage of courting Kim Ha-sung until the last week of this season. He stressed that Atlanta should take full advantage of the favorable situation to sign an extension contract.
Of course, this process is not expected to be easy. Because Kim Ha-sung's agent is Scott Boras. Boras is a famous devil's agent. If a contract that is more beneficial to Kim Ha-sung is possible, it is highly likely that he will not accept Atlanta's offer of an extension contract and push for a higher amount of contract.
In order for Atlanta to catch Kim Ha-sung, it must provide attractive enough contract terms to give up its mind to go to the FA market. According to the U.S. sports media 'The Athletic', about five teams will be interested in shortstop in the stove league after the season. It raises questions about how bold Atlanta will make before the competition begins in earnest.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
