The shortstop has agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal to return to the Braves, the team announced on Monday.
Kim, 29, joined Atlanta last season when the organization claimed him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in September.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the South Korean had multi-year offers to choose from but opted to stick with the Braves so he can play shortstop full-time and explore the free agent market once more next winter.
The former Gold Glove winner was in the first season of a two-year contract he had signed with Tampa Bay when he was waived, after his start to the 2025 campaign had been marred by injuries. Kim played in just 24 games with the Rays, largely due to lingering shoulder and back issues. His production suffered as a result as well, with Kim’s .611 OPS during that span ranking as a career-low mark.
Kim slashed .234/.304/.345 for five home runs and 17 RBI through 171 at-bats in 48 games split between the Rays and Braves last season. In 87 at-bats with Atlanta, he slashed .253/.316/.368 for three homers and 12 RBI.
Meanwhile, to make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated RHP Osvaldo Bibo for assignment.
Kim will look to help the Braves bounce back after the franchise finished 76-86 last season (fourth in the NL East) and missed the post-season for the first time since 2017 — snapping a streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances that included a World Series title in 2021.
