The Atlanta Braves just got knocked out of the NLDS by the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games, and yeah, everyone’s looking at that shaky pitching. But honestly, the real mess for Atlanta, the thing they absolutely have to fix this offseason, is their shortstop situation. Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report nailed it, calling shortstop and left field their “biggest roster hole.” And if the Braves want to get it right, they cannot repeat the huge mistake they made with Ha-Seong Kim.
The Kim Blunder: An Expensive Lesson in Offense
Let’s just call it what it was: the Ha-Seong Kim signing was a total failure for the Braves. Miller specifically pointed to shortstop and left field as the spots they gotta fill, needing at least one more option in that mix, probably a right-handed hitting shortstop. Kim might have fit the bill on paper, but he struggled big time this season. The dude closed out the 2025 MLB season with a measly .684 OPS. And for that, the Braves massively overspent, dropping a whopping one-year, $20 million deal on him. Even if he hadn’t gotten hurt and missed a chunk of the 2026 season, that was way too much cash for a guy who just doesn’t produce at the plate.
Offense Has to Take Priority in the Platoon Plan
So, what’s next for the Braves? Miller outlined that they might be heading back to a platoon setup for the infield/outfield next year. That would mean bringing in a right-handed hitting shortstop to start against southpaws, while “Yaz” starts in left field against righties. But here’s the kicker, the crucial lesson from the Kim debacle: the Braves cannot overspend on a player who won’t be a major offensive contributor. When they’re looking to fill those shortstop or left field spots, offense has to be the top priority. They gotta learn from that $20 million mistake and avoid signing another player like Kim who simply isn’t a productive hitter.
This upcoming offseason for the Braves isn’t just about finding a warm body for those holes; it’s about making smart moves, actually prioritizing offense, and getting a bat that can produce. After getting bounced early from the playoffs, the stakes are high, and they can’t afford another misstep like that expensive Kim flop.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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