Braves urged to part ways with $20M Gold Glove winner during disappointing offensive season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

To put it simply, the Atlanta Braves have had a major need at shortstop since Dansby Swanson signed elsewhere in free agency. More specifically, the offensive production from the position has fallen well short of the team's expectations.

Atlanta attempted to address that need this offseason by bringing back Ha-Seong Kim after the success he had during his brief stint with the club last season. Kim returned on a one-year, $20 million contract.

“Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is returning to the Atlanta Braves, agreeing Monday to a one-year, $20 million contract that addressed a major offseason priority for the team. Kim gets a $4 million raise. He had declined a $16 million player option that was in the two-year, $29 million contract he signed in February with Tampa Bay, a deal that paid him $13 million. The Braves announced the new deal with Kim on Monday night,” ESPN wrote.

However, the season has not gone the way anyone expected. Kim is batting below .100, and the Braves continue searching for answers at shortstop.

“Sounds like the Braves may be approaching a crossroads with Ha-Seong Kim. The belief internally may still be there, but if this continues another couple weeks, it feels like a legitimate ‘what are we doing at shortstop?’ conversation is coming,” 680 The Fan’s Chris Dimino said.

There is no doubt this season has been extremely disappointing for Kim. While he is working his way back from injury and hopes to turn things around, some believe Atlanta should move on altogether. ATL All Day's Nick Halden is among those who think the Braves should part ways with the veteran shortstop.

“Even as these options have waned, it is impossible not ot point to better options existing over Kim. To put it simply, the Braves must part ways with a failed signing, understanding that winning comes above all else, and right now the infielder has proven to be an offensive liability,” Halden wrote.

The Braves have received more consistent production from Jim Jarvis than they did from Kim during nearly two months in the lineup. Kim has been stuck in a prolonged slump at the plate, and Atlanta could have a short leash once he returns from injury.

If the Braves do not see enough improvement, they could explore trading Kim at the deadline or simply move on from him as they did last season. Unless his production improves quickly, this disappointing season in Atlanta could end on a difficult note for the veteran shortstop.

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