Phillies Linked to Former Atlanta Braves Infielder Early in MLB Offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies are showing interest in former Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Salisbury reported the Phillies' interest in the free-agent infielder, identifying Kim as a player who can cover shortstop, second base and third base. The reasoning behind their interest is because they need infield depth and a potential solution to replace Trea Turner.

Dave Dombrowski has a shortstop problem. Turner hit .242 with 19 home runs, 58 RBI and a .675 OPS in 157 games in 2026. He also committed 21 errors. Turner has seven years and roughly $190 million remaining on his deal with a full no-trade clause, which makes moving him a tough task if they don't pay a portion of his salary. 

Kim spent 2026 with Atlanta on a one-year, $20 million deal that did not go as planned. A right middle-finger tendon injury suffered in a fall on ice in South Korea in January required surgery and pushed his debut back to May.

He appeared in 51 games and hit .116 with a .359 OPS, 15 hits, no home runs and nine RBI in 147 plate appearances. It was one of the worst offensive seasons by a regular in recent memory.

Kim’s best seasons came with the San Diego Padres where he showed what he can be at his best. In 2023, he hit .260 with a .351 on-base percentage, 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases and won the National Leagie utility-player Gold Glove. A 2024 right shoulder labrum surgery cost him some time in that season, and the 2026 hand injury derailed his fresh start in Atlanta. He has not had a full healthy season since 2023.

The Braves gave him a chance to rebuild his value and it did not work. Now, Philadelphia is the team willing to take the next swing. Kim is a risk, but his defensive versatility at shortstop, second and third makes him an attractive low-cost option if he is healthy.

For Atlanta, moving on from Kim is an easy decision. The one-year deal was always a low-commitment gamble on a player they knew was coming off shoulder surgery.

The Braves got almost nothing from him in 2026 and they likely will not bring him back, instead prioritizing re-signing Mauricio Dubon. 

Atlanta probably will not lose sleep if Kim signs with a division rival. Philadelphia is betting on a bounce-back that has not happened yet.