Is Braves Ace Ha-Seong Kim Set to Opt Out?

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00:00Is Braves ace Ha-Sung Kim set to opt out?

00:03Not long ago, Ha-Sung Kim looked like a monster free agent lock.

00:08Now we're wondering if he'll even opt out of one year at $16 million.

00:12Kim's three-year stretch from 2022 to 2024 was sneaky solid.

00:17250 average, an on-base north of 330, more than 70 stolen bases,

00:22elite defense, and 3-5 war seasons like clockwork.

00:25At his age, he just turned 29, and it really looked like he'd ride that consistency right into a nine-figure deal.

00:33Think four, maybe even five years.

00:35He signs with the Rays.

00:37Two years, $29 million, opt out after one.

00:40The classic Scott Boris blueprint to rebuild value and hit the open market again.

00:46It didn't go to plan.

00:4748 games with the Tampa Bay Rays, a quiet bat, slipping defense, a waiver, and Atlanta scooping the bargain bin.

00:56Kim kind of started to cook again in Atlanta.

00:58It wasn't fireworks, but it was progress.

01:00In 98 plate appearances, 253, 316, 368, with a 91 WRC+, less swing and miss, and spark on the base paths.

01:13Now the real question, does he roll the dice, opt out of $16 million,

01:17and attack a thin shortstop market with Beau Bichette the only real heavyweight?

01:22There's no obvious answer here.

01:24Opting out feels risky after a banged-up season and fewer than 100 decent Braves appearances.

01:30But this is a Boris client, and Scott Boris isn't afraid of market uncertainty when competition is weak and the track record sells.

01:39Teams need middle infielders, and there's always a market for shortstops who can pick it and run a little.

01:44So Kim's decision is about leverage, timing, and market perception, and Boris squeezes every drop.