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The Atlanta Braves might be in the market for another infielder this offseason after it was announced that Ha-Seong Kim will be sidelined for the next 4-5 months with a hand injury. Kim fell on ice in Korea and tore a tendon in his middle finger. This is a tough blow for Atlanta before the 2026 season has even started. However, could the Braves acquire an All-Star shortstop in CJ Abrams via trade? MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds believes so, and he said on Hot Stove this morning that Atlanta should try to trade for CJ Abrams ahead of the season. Atlanta signed Jorge Mateo on Monday morning to help with infield depth, but adding Abrams would be a much bigger splash. More MLB on Heavy: Braves Sign Former Orioles Infielder One Day After Ha-Seong Kim Injury Is CJ Abrams On the Trade Block? In a recent article by Bleacher Report, CJ Abrams is named as “Maybe Gettable” at the shortstop position by writer Kerry Miller: “After a flurry of Abrams and MacKenzie Gore chatter early in the offseason, it’s been all quiet on the Washington front since the winter meetings ended. But are the Nationals committed to keeping Abrams? Or are they just waiting for interest to pique again after Bo Bichette signs his contract and a couple of teams are forced to pivot to a different shortstop with terrible defensive metrics? If the Giants whiff on Bichette, maybe they offer up Bryce Eldridge for three years of Abrams at second base.” CJ Abrams has become the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, especially because there are several new front office members in the Nationals organization, and Abrams might be a movable piece to help acquire more prospects to build around James Wood. More MLB on Heavy: Braves’ $20 Million Infielder to Miss 4-5 Months with Hand Injury Shortstop Has Been an Issue for the Braves It took the Braves over 140 games in 2025 to receive a home run from a shortstop, and it came from Ha-Seong Kim, who was acquired in August off waivers. The Braves believed Kim was a worthy candidate to play every day at short by signing him to a one-year, $20 million contract. Atlanta also traded for Mauricio Dubon early in the offseason, and it appears he will be the Opening Day option for now, but CJ Abrams would be a vast improvement over Dubon and Jorge Mateo. CJ Abrams had 20 home runs in 2024 en route to an All-Star Game appearance, and then hit another 19 last season over 144 games. He has back-to-back seasons of 30+ stolen bases as well. He also just avoided arbitration, which means he is a cheap option at around $4 million per year and is controllable over the next couple of seasons. If the Washington Nationals make CJ Abrams available, the Braves should at least inquire about what it would take to pull off a trade. More MLB on Heavy: Four Low-Cost Free Agent Infield Options Braves Could Target After Ha-Seong Kim Injury Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post MLB Analyst Suggests Braves Should Trade for Nationals’ CJ Abrams After Ha-Seong Kim Hand Injury appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Kevin Byard was supposed to be a bridge signing for the Chicago Bears. Instead, he became the backbone of their defense. And now, with his contract expiring, he’s about to become one of the franchise’s toughest offseason decisions.Signed to a modest two year, $15 million contract before the 2024 season, Byard looked like a savvy veteran addition at the time. But what he turned into under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was something far more valuable: the leader and playmaker behind the NFL’s most turnover-hungry defense.And that success is exactly what has created Chicago’s looming $24 million problem.Byard’s 2025 campaign was elite: League high six interceptions Defensive captain for a first place Bears team Third career Pro Bowl selection Key piece of a Chicago defense that led the NFL with 31 takeaways The projected price tag GettyBears Safety Kevin Byard Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron recently predicted Kevin Byard will command a two year, $24 million extension this offseason, $12M per year.For a 32 year old safety, that’s significant money. Not quite market-resetting, but well above what most veterans his age receive. Recent history shows teams are hesitant to commit big dollars to safeties over 30, even productive ones.The concern for Chicago isn’t whether Byard deserves the deal (he absolutely does based on performance). The issue is projection.This was Byard’s first multi-interception season since 2022. He hadn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2021 before this resurgence. Paying him now means betting that this wasn’t a late career spike but rather proof he’s a perfect fit in Allen’s system moving forward.That’s a risky wager for a front office that values sustainability. Yet letting him walk could ruin the identity of a defense built entirely around creating turnovers.The stakes get even higher when you zoom out cause fellow starting safety Jaquan Brisker is also entering free agency.That means the Chicago Bears could realistically head into 2026 without either starting safety from a defense that just led the league in takeaways. Byard’s price tag alone is difficult. Pair that with Brisker’s uncertain future, and suddenly the Bears are staring at a potential full reset on the back end.Byard wants to stay… But at what cost? GettyBears Safety Kevin Byard Byard has been clear about his mindset. He loves Chicago. Loves Allen’s scheme. Loves the locker room. But he’s also realistic that he’s year to year at this stage of his career.“For me personally, I would love to be here,” Byard said back in May. “I’ve loved being here over the last year and going forward. This thing is year-to-year and honestly, it’s probably going to be year-to-year for the rest of my career until I’m done playing.”So Chicago is stuck in between: Reward the veteran who helped transform their defense… Or risk losing him and Brisker and forcing a major secondary rebuild.Kevin Byard was a steal when the Chicago Bears signed him. Now he’s expensive because he outplayed that contract in every possible way.That’s the offseason problem looming over Halas Hall. And it’s one the Bears can’t afford to get wrong. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Bears Enter the Offseason With a $24 Million Problem Looming appeared first on Heavy Sports.