Braves explore trade for Ha-Seong Kim ahead of MLB deadline
Reports suggest the Atlanta Braves may package Ha-Seong Kim with a pitching prospect to offload the remainder of his $20 million salary to a club in need of middle infield depth.
The Atlanta Braves are reportedly considering a trade for infielder Ha-Seong Kim before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, a move driven by recent performance struggles and roster construction needs. According to MLB.com’s Braves reporter Mark Bowman, the organisation is exploring options to move the 30-year-old to a team requiring middle infield assistance.
Bowman outlined a potential structure in which the Braves would pair Kim with one of their top pitching prospects. In this scenario, Atlanta would agree to absorb the remainder of Kim’s $20 million salary, effectively paying the acquiring team to take on the contract. The report indicates that while Kim would not serve as the centerpiece of any deal, the package could yield a decent return given the current market conditions.
The push to trade Kim stems from a combination of poor on-field results and injury issues. Kim has recorded a batting line of 5-for-52 this season and has been hampered by physical setbacks. Bowman noted that Kim, who previously enjoyed success with the San Diego Padres, has not performed to expectations over the past 18 months, with injuries cited as a primary factor in his decline.
From a roster management perspective, the Braves view shortstops Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo as superior options at the position. Bowman suggested that Kim no longer fits within Atlanta’s immediate plans, making a move logical despite the financial implications. The Braves are generally not in a position to shed salary, but the report implies that moving Kim would be an exception to that rule.
The trade deadline approach is complicated by the Braves’ farm system, which is described as average. With a lack of high-value prospects capable of generating a massive return, the organisation may need to be creative in its negotiations. The specific identity of a potential trade partner and the exact pitching prospect involved have not been disclosed, and no agreement has been finalised.
