The Atlanta Braves faced unexpected challenges in 2024, struggling more than anticipated after early-season injuries to Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. These setbacks prevented the team from regaining momentum, resulting in a narrow postseason berth before being eliminated in the Wild Card round. Looking ahead to 2025, the Braves need roster upgrades to avoid another disappointing season.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently speculated that Atlanta might take a calculated risk to bolster their lineup, predicting the team will target San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim in free agency. Kim is currently recovering from major shoulder surgery, which is expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of the first half of the 2025 season.
“Kim’s free agency is complicated by the season-ending shoulder surgery he underwent late in the summer that will sideline him for much of the upcoming year,” Anderson explained. “Few teams are willing to invest in a player who won’t be available immediately. However, the Braves make sense as a landing spot, particularly as an upgrade over Orlando Arcia for the stretch run.”
When healthy, Kim is an elite defensive shortstop with a solid offensive skill set, making him a significant improvement over Arcia. Atlanta might secure him on a team-friendly deal due to his injury concerns, making it a high-risk, high-reward move. If the gamble pays off, Kim could become a game-changing acquisition for the Braves.
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