ORLANDO, Fla. -- When analyzing how they could improve their offense, the Braves have to continue debating whether Mauricio Dubón should be used as a versatile utility player or serve as their everyday shortstop.
“There’s some things we’ve explored in terms of bats,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said. “It’s not the cleanest of fits, because we have some commitments to guys we like. But if you want to add a bat, the one area where you could do so is clearly at shortstop.
“But it’s kind of the same thing with everything you do, you want it to be an impact addition, right? It’s harder to find that at the shortstop position. There’s some guys at other spots, but like I said, it’s not the cleanest fit for us. That doesn’t mean we’re not brainstorming and trying to find a way, if there is a fit.”
Unless you’re willing to overlook Bo Bichette’s defensive limitations, Ha-Seong Kim is the closest thing to an impact option among free-agent shortstops. Kim is obviously looking for more than the $16 million salary he passed on when he declined his 2026 option in November.
Kim was a slightly better than average (106 OPS+) offensive player over the course of the two best seasons of his career (2022 and ’23). Though he’s a capable defender, it’s worth noting he primarily played second base when he won his only Gold Glove Award in 2023. And the 30-year-old infielder is coming off two injury-marred seasons.
So, is it worth giving Kim a one-, two- or three-year deal with an average annual value north of $16 million? Dubón’s defensive metrics indicate he could be a dependable shortstop, but he has never made more than 24 starts at the position.
By going with Dubón, the Braves would save at least $10 million. This added financial flexibility could be used to address one of the team’s other needs. There is a need to add a starting pitcher and possibly a high-leverage reliever, especially with Joe Jiménez’s availability uncertain.
But by going this route, the Braves would also create another need. It’s debatable whether another bat would be needed if the Braves re-signed Kim to be their shortstop. But they would definitely need to add another hitter if they decide to give Dubón the everyday job.
As things currently stand, the first four batters in the Braves’ lineup would be:
1. LF Jurickson Profar
2. 1B Matt Olson
3. RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
4. 3B Austin Riley
A healthy Riley could return to being the annual 30-home run hitter he was before injuries tarnished his past two seasons. So, the top of the lineup has the potential to be strong. But beyond Drake Baldwin, uncertainty surrounds the lineup’s final five spots.
Anthopoulos has said he doesn’t plan to employ an everyday DH in 2026. This will allow Baldwin to DH when he’s not catching. It will also allow Olson, Riley, Acuña and others to place less stress on their legs when they occasionally fill the role.
Who else could the Braves depend on to deepen their lineup? Well, Michael Harris II is certainly capable of being a superstar if he ever puts a full season together. The 24-year-old center fielder produced the game’s worst OPS through last season’s first half and still had a 20-homer, 20-stolen base season.
Ozzie Albies’ struggles this past season could have been a lingering effect from the fractured left wrist he suffered in 2024. The second baseman might not have any more 30-homer seasons left in him. But he had a 20-homer pace during this past season’s second half.
Another big question mark is Sean Murphy, who underwent right hip surgery in September. The Braves are hoping to get a better feel for his progress in January.
“I've spoken to [Murphy] and he's doing well,” Anthopoulos said. “But the doctors told us there's going to be moments where he's like, ‘I feel great. I'm ready to go and all that.’ But you still want to make sure that everything heals correctly and so on.”
If Murphy, Riley and Albies can get back to where they were when they were each All-Stars in 2023, the Braves could have a deep lineup. But by adding Kim or possibly a versatile outfielder who is an above-average hitter, there would be reason to feel better about this lineup’s potential.