Braves radio host warns major $20M decision looms for struggling Ha-Seong Kim as concerns grow originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Braves picked up Ha-Seong Kim off waivers last September for the final month of the season. During that short stretch, Kim showed flashes of what he could do when healthy.

That brief run with Atlanta proved enough for the Braves to bring him back during free agency. Kim later signed a $20 million contract with the club.

“Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is returning to the Atlanta Braves, agreeing Monday to a one-year, $20 million contract that addressed a major offseason priority for the team. Kim gets a $4 million raise. He had declined a $16 million player option that was in the two-year, $29 million contract he signed in February with Tampa Bay, a deal that paid him $13 million. The Braves announced the new deal with Kim on Monday night,” ESPN wrote.

After signing the deal, Kim injured his wrist after slipping on ice. He has now been back for a couple of weeks, but he still has not gotten going offensively. Going hitless on Wednesday marked his third consecutive game without a hit.

“Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves has gone hitless in three consecutive games. Kim Ha-seong started as the eighth-numbered shortstop in an away game against the Boston Red Sox,” The Chosun Daily’s OSEN wrote.

With Kim continuing to struggle and the offense lacking production from the bottom of the lineup, Braves radio host Chris Dimino made it clear that the organization may soon have to have an internal discussion regarding the shortstop position.

“Sounds like the Braves may be approaching a crossroads with Ha-Seong Kim. The belief internally may still be there, but if this continues another couple weeks, it feels like a legitimate ‘what are we doing at shortstop?’ conversation is coming,” Dimino said.

There is no denying that Kim has had a difficult time at the plate. Earlier in the season, Atlanta’s offense was clicking, but recently it has started to cool off. It becomes much harder for an offense to stay productive when the eighth and ninth spots in the lineup are struggling to get on base consistently.

The Braves are paying Kim more than enough money to produce offensively. Meanwhile, Jorge Mateo and Mauricio Dubón have both shown they are capable of handling the shortstop position if needed. The unfortunate part for Atlanta would be the financial loss tied to moving away from Kim so quickly. Still, if the struggles continue, the decision may eventually become unavoidable.

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