Braves Nab Ha-Seong Kim! Profar Predicted This Move?! You Won't Believe When!
Braves Land Ha-Seong Kim: A Surprising Mid-Season Acquisition
The Atlanta Braves have made a surprising move, claiming infielder Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. This acquisition has generated excitement, especially from Jurickson Profar, Kim's former teammate on the San Diego Padres.
Profar revealed he had been discussing the possibility of Kim joining the Braves with his current teammates, originally envisioning it for the 2026 season. However, the timeline has been dramatically accelerated. Kim, a former Gold Glove winner, is expected to join the Braves immediately and potentially fill the shortstop position for the remainder of the season.
"Oh, yeah," Profar said with a smile, commenting on the Kim acquisition. "Really good player. Really good. You know, we were talking all this time about it for next year, but it’s happened earlier.”
A Calculated Risk for the Braves
The Braves are taking a calculated risk on Kim, who displayed exceptional all-around talent in 2022 and 2023, and for a portion of 2024. However, his performance has been hampered by a shoulder surgery in August 2024 and subsequent stints on the injured list due to low-back inflammation. He only participated in 24 games for the Rays this season, posting a .214 batting average and a career-low .612 OPS.
Atlanta will assume the remaining portion of Kim's $13 million salary for this season (approximately $2 million for the remaining 24 games). Furthermore, if Kim exercises his $16 million player option for 2026, the Braves will also be responsible for that. The Braves are confident that a healthy Kim can significantly contribute to their team.
Kim Ready to Contribute
Kim has reportedly assured the Braves that he is ready to play immediately and is poised to take over the shortstop role for the rest of the current season and potentially into the next. Braves manager Brian Snitker expressed his eagerness to see Kim in action. "I’m anxious to get him in here and see," Snitker said after Monday's game against the Cubs. "I know he’s anxious to get in here a."
