ATLANTA — Jurickson Profar’s friendship with Ha-Seong Kim doesn’t assure Kim will decide to play for the Braves subsequent 12 months. However it definitely received’t damage.
“We’re not solely teammates, he’s like a brother,” Profar stated. “We have now spent a variety of time collectively, simply hanging out on the stadium and on the staff lodge. We eat collectively. We do all the things collectively.”
Profar and Kim have been teammates in San Diego as not too long ago as final 12 months. They have been reunited this previous week, when the Braves claimed Kim off waivers from the Rays and made him their beginning shortstop for the remainder of the season.
How lengthy they continue to be teammates stays to be seen.
You may take a look at the approximate $2 million the Braves can pay Kim this 12 months as principally the price of a recruiting go to. If the previous Gold Glove shortstop finds consolation over these last few weeks, there could possibly be a greater probability he’ll proceed to function Atlanta’s shortstop subsequent season.
Pair these accidents with a profession .702 OPS and it’s straightforward to imagine he’ll train the participant choice, erasing the Braves’ have to discover a shortstop.
Within the phrases of Lee Corso, not so quick my good friend. Nothing ought to ever be assumed with a Scott Boras shopper, particularly when this winter’s shortstop free-agent market isn’t robust.
Bo Bichette’s bat will definitely draw vital consideration on the free-agent market. However he ranks final amongst certified shortstops with -13 Outs Above Common. Can you actually think about him a shortstop?
Trevor Story has by no means been greater than a barely above-average hitter since leaving the Rockies (93 wRC+ in 302 video games with Boston getting into Sunday) and has -2 OAA this season. It’s arduous to consider he’ll decide out of a deal that may assure him $55 million (2028 buyout included) over the following two seasons. However like Kim, he may consider the worth of becoming a member of a skinny shortstop market.
Past Bichette and Story, this winter’s solely different potential free agent shortstops are Orlando Arcia (membership choice), Miguel Rojas, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Amed Rosario, Paul DeJong and Kim.
Kim’s gamble wouldn’t be as vital as Story’s. He’d merely be taking an opportunity on the opportunity of gaining one thing higher than a one-year, $16 million deal.
If the Braves like what they see over the following few weeks, they might select to provide Kim a multi-year take care of an AAV that may doubtless be at the very least $16 million. This 12 months’s accidents create a danger, however the hamstring, calf and foot accidents could possibly be a product of not having a traditional offseason or Spring Coaching.
Then, there’s all the time the chance that Kim may simply train his $16 million choice for subsequent season. It seems he has been impressed by his Braves expertise to this point.
“He informed me it’s completely different right here than it was with the Rays, as a result of he didn’t have anyone to speak to,” Profar stated. “It’s a special group right here. Everyone actually cares for one another. He informed me that straight away.”
“I wouldn’t thoughts him taking part in each sport that is left if he can, as a result of we may see what he can carry to this membership, as he already has,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “He seems to be good, actually good.”
