Ha-Seong Kim News: Becomes free agent after opting out

Kim became a free agent Monday after exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After Kim slashed just .234/.304/.345 in 48 games for Tampa Bay and Atlanta in 2025, it was not a given that he would opt out of the $16 million he was owed in 2026. However, the 30-year-old ultimately has decided to test out the free-agent market. Atlanta has a hole at shortstop, so it will likely make an effort to re-sign Kim, but he'll now be free to negotiate with all teams.