The Oakland Athletics’ search for infield help took a surprising turn when Ha-Seong Kim chose a one-year, $20 million deal to return to the Atlanta Braves. He turned down a longer, more secure offer from Oakland.
Kim’s decision, and the A’s quick change in strategy, says a lot about how this winter’s infield market looks. It also hints at where a budget-conscious team like Oakland can actually shop.
Ha-Seong Kim Bets on Himself, Not on Oakland’s Security
Kim wanted flexibility just as much as he wanted money. Oakland reportedly offered a four-year, $48 million contract, which is a pretty big deal for a team that rarely goes long-term.
Still, Kim walked away from the extra years and dollars. He took a one-year, $20 million deal to stay in Atlanta as the Braves’ starting shortstop.
The key factor? Oakland’s offer didn’t include any opt-out clauses. That would’ve locked Kim in, even if he outperformed the contract.
With Atlanta, he gets a shot to boost his value in a strong lineup. He can hit the market again next winter and maybe cash in even bigger.
Why Kim’s Fit in Oakland Was Always Complicated
On paper, the A’s needed a shortstop. But honestly, they already see Jacob Wilson as their future at that spot.
Kim would’ve been more of a luxury than a true need. The front office is really focused on second and third base, not blocking Wilson’s path at short.
Kim’s glove can play anywhere in the infield, but he clearly wanted to stick at shortstop. Atlanta could offer him that, plus a shot to win.
Oakland just couldn’t match that situation, even with more years on the table.
Market Context: Torres, Polanco and the Price of Infield Stability
Kim’s move makes more sense when you look at what other infielders did this offseason. Middle infielders are getting paid, but the deals look different based on how much risk each player wants.
Two key examples help show Kim’s thinking:
Kim basically split the difference. He skipped Polanco’s multi-year safety to chase a bigger one-year number, betting that he’ll earn an even better deal after 2025.
Why Oakland Won’t Chase the Top Shelf
Missing out on Kim doesn’t mean the A’s will chase the biggest names left. If anything, it’s the opposite.
Guys like Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, and Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto would be amazing additions, but their price tags are just way out of Oakland’s league.
Even someone like Eugenio Suárez feels like a reach. His salary would land near the Kim/Polanco range, and the A’s have already shown they’re uncomfortable spending at that level by moving on after Kim passed.
The A’s Realistic Options: One-Year Plays and Bargain Upside
With the top shelf out of reach, Oakland is looking at the mid-range and one-year market. That’s familiar ground for a team that values flexibility over long-term deals.
Some of the more realistic free agents:
These players fit what the A’s usually go for: short-term, mid-cost, and versatile. None of them solves the infield puzzle alone, but together, they could raise the floor at second and third.
Trade Market Temptations: Marte, Donovan and Cronenworth
The trade market for second basemen is active, but it’s not exactly perfect for Oakland. Two of the top names — Ketel Marte and Brendan Donovan — have issues for the A’s.
Marte’s a big bat, but the cost in prospects and salary just doesn’t fit where Oakland is right now. Donovan brings on-base skills and versatility, but the price in prospects would be steep, and the A’s need to keep their pitching depth intact.
Jake Cronenworth is a bit more interesting. He’s under contract for about $12 million a year, which lines up with what Oakland offered Kim.
Cronenworth brings more offense than Kim, though his defense isn’t quite as sharp. For a team squeezing every dollar, that extra punch at second or third might be worth it—if the Padres actually want to make a deal.
Rotation Needs Complicate the Infield Puzzle
The A’s challenge isn’t just the infield. They’ve got to reinforce their starting rotation too, which makes any trade talk a bit of a headache.
Trading pitching prospects for an infielder? That feels risky when the mound already looks a little thin.
This tug-of-war — protect pitching, upgrade the infield, stay on budget — sits right at the center of Oakland’s offseason mess.
Missing out on Ha-Seong Kim wipes away one tidy answer. But it doesn’t kill their search.
Now the A’s slip back into their usual routine: hunting for undervalued infielders, weighing upside, cost, and contract years, and hoping the next gamble actually works out. Maybe not as well as Kim thinks it will in Atlanta, but hey, you never know.
Here is the source article for this story: A’s Made Four-Year Offer To Ha-Seong Kim
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