In a sea of questions after a nightmarish season, the shortstop situation isn’t getting easier for the Atlanta Braves. After missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years and moving manager Brian Snitker to the front office, the team is left to deal with the very concerns that arose when they acquired Ha-Seong Kim mid-season in 2025.

When the Braves claimed Kim from the Tampa Bay Rays in September earlier this year, a large concern was that the former Golden Glove shortstop had a $16 million player option on his contract. He was defensively solid and offensively efficient– something Nick Allen, the Braves shortstop, was lacking. So it was easily an attractive option, but only until now.

Sportscaster David O’Brien very confidently says, “Ha-Seong Kim will surely decline $16M player option for 2026.” Even if Atlanta considers moving on, they do not have enough options in the market. As O’Brien notes, throwing Bo Bichette in the hurtful mix: “He’s best SS available (Bichette is so bad defensively, he might switch positions) and ATL has glaring need.”

Bichette has been considered among the top free agents this offseason, having batted .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs. But on defense, he is even considered a liability with a career .966 fielding percentage, alongside 84 errors. He is also predicted to be chasing a contract close to $200 million.

So when you factor in the price tag and his defensive issues, Bichette might not be the long-term answer for the Braves. With Allen’s weak bat, though, they can’t make light of the situation either.

According to MLB Insider, Mark Bowman, Kim, who had signed a two-year $29 million contract with the Rays earlier this year, has five days from the World Series to announce his decision. The Braves have just as much time to extend a multi-year deal, appealing enough to keep him in Atlanta. Given how small the SS market is, it is very likely teams are waiting to pounce, leaving the Braves with no fallback option.

But, if GM Alex Anthopoulos does indeed fail to make an enticing offer, experts have thrown in a few names Atlanta could consider: Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Corey Seager. IKF, though, with his .600 OPS through an eight-year career, is predicted to resemble Allen. Seager, on the other hand, comes in as a two-time World Series MVP and a five-time All Star with 30 HR or more recorded in three consecutive seasons.

Kim is still considered the top priority option. But whether the Braves will be able to work it out remains to be seen. Bichette, on the other hand, is leaving the Blue Jays in a difficult situation of their own.

Is Bo Bichette’s chapter in Toronto coming to an end?

Bo Bichette’s longtime teammate and close friend, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., shared his thoughts on Bichette after Game 7 of the World Series. “I would love to finish my career playing with him, but it’s free agency.”

For what it’s worth, many teams across MLB are expected to chase Bo Bichette this offseason. His situation has quickly become one of the biggest storylines for the Blue Jays’ front office. And it won’t come without tough decisions and criticism.

Bichette is the standout among the Blue Jays’ upcoming free agents, a group that also includes Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. After hitting a clutch three-run homer in Game 7, nearly sealing a World Series win, Bichette’s about to secure a massive payday.

Toronto could be in the mix, too. “I’ve said I want to be here from the beginning. I want to be here, but I just played Game 7,” Bo Bichette said after Saturday’s tough Game 7 loss.