South Korean baseball star Song Sung-mun has reportedly agreed to his first major league contract with the San Diego Padres. The Kiwoom Heroes infielder was posted to all 30 MLB teams last month, with his 30-day negotiating window closing on Sunday. Song is expected to bring versatility and power to the Padres' infield.
Song Sung-mun, 29, has been a standout for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) since 2015. He had a breakout year in 2024, batting .340 with a .409 on-base percentage and .518 slugging, setting career highs of 19 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. In 2025, he rebounded from a slow start to post .315/.387/.530, with 26 homers, 90 RBIs, and 25 steals. He won his first Golden Glove and KBO Fielding Award at third base, ranking second in the league with 6.84 wins above replacement.
Multiple U.S. reports on Dec. 20 (local time) indicated that Song agreed to a contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical exam. He flew to the United States on Dec. 19 (South Korean time) to finalize the deal, as his 30-day posting window closes at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 22. Represented by ISE Baseball—the same agency that placed Kim Ha-seong with the Padres before 2021—Song becomes the sixth Heroes player to reach MLB, following Kang Jung-ho (Pittsburgh Pirates), Park Byung-ho (Minnesota Twins), Kim Ha-seong (Padres), Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants), and Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers).
A left-handed batter and right-handed thrower, Song is primarily a third baseman but has played second and first base, and shortstop in high school. He has expressed willingness to handle shortstop in MLB if needed. The Padres have an opening at first base after Luis Arraez became a free agent. With aging Manny Machado at third and Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, plus versatile Jake Cronenworth—who faces trade rumors—Song could provide infield depth, potentially replacing Cronenworth at second. In the National League West, he will join division rivals Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-seong.
Kiwoom will receive a release fee based on the guaranteed money: 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% beyond $50 million.
