ATLANTA -- The Braves could still end up signing Ha-Seong Kim to a multi-year contract. But they now have competition.

Kim became a free agent on Monday when he opted out of his $16 million option for the 2026 season. For the Braves, this simply erases the exclusive negotiating rights they held since they had claimed the former Gold Glove Award winner off waivers from the Rays on Sept. 1.

Securing a shortstop stands at the top of the Braves’ to-do list this offseason. Nick Allen provided them Gold Glove-caliber defense at the position, but he produced just a .535 OPS at the plate.

Though Kim produced a .700 OPS for the Padres in 2024 and then missed most of this past season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and back discomfort, he could be considered the best available

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