Braves predicted to make monster trade for $18M NL rival All-Star during breakout season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Braves hoped their shortstop problems would be solved by bringing back Ha-Seong Kim after the success he had last season. However, Kim has struggled mightily this year and has yet to provide the production Atlanta expected.

Kim suffered an injury during the offseason while playing in Korea, which caused him to miss time at the start of the season. Since returning, he has failed to make an impact, and another injury has only added to the disappointment. The hope is that once he returns, he can begin to provide value on his contract.

“He’ll likely not need as much time as Kim, who is just trying to right himself to the point where he might provide some value to the one-year, $20 million contract he signed in January,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman wrote.

Kim is nearing another return from injury, but there is little excitement surrounding it given his struggles. Every player the Braves have used at shortstop has outperformed him this season.

“No question, Kim coming back isn’t great news for the Braves but points to a continued frustration. The shortstop has been to the plate 73 times and hit .068 while striking out 22 times and being completely lost at the plate. Atlanta is far better off with Jim Jarvis, Mauricio Dubon, or Jorge Mateo in the starting lineup and in the middle infield,” ATL All Day’s Nick Halden wrote.

Because of those struggles, the Braves could explore the trade market for another shortstop. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan believe Washington Nationals All-Star CJ Abrams could be a potential target.

“Abrams is on pace for career highs across the board in his age-25 season, but as noted above, his defense and familiar patterns still make you wonder if this is the year it all comes together. He’s an easy plus runner with strong bat speed/raw power and, like Pena, has leaned into the pull/lift elements (to the biggest degree this season) to get to his power in games. Is the solution to move him to second or third base or maybe even to center field? Can he keep this up all season? If he solves these questions, he might be on the road to becoming the star some envisioned in the 2019 draft,” McDaniel and Passan wrote.

There is no doubt Abrams would address a major need for the Braves. Atlanta has been searching for more offensive production from the shortstop position since Dansby Swanson departed in free agency, and Abrams would provide an immediate upgrade.

Abrams has earned $18 million during his MLB career with the Washington Nationals. While he remains under team control through arbitration, he could be a worthwhile trade target if the Braves are willing to pay the price to acquire a young All-Star capable of filling a long-standing void in their lineup.

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