Song Sung-mun, 29, of the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes has signed a four-year, $15 million contract with MLB's San Diego Padres. This marks the sixth player from the Heroes to reach the majors, a point of pride for the club. Song drew MLB interest after breakout seasons in 2024 and 2025.
Song Sung-mun's move to Major League Baseball became official on December 23, 2025, when the San Diego Padres announced his signing. The 29-year-old captain and All-Star third baseman for the Kiwoom Heroes had toiled in relative obscurity for years before his recent surge. In 2024, he hit .340 with 19 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 21 steals; in 2025, he batted .315 with 26 homers, 90 RBIs, and 25 steals, earning a Golden Glove and Fielding Award while posting a league-second 6.84 WAR.
The Heroes expressed pride in a statement: "We'd like to offer our warmest congratulations to Song Sung-mun for signing his major league contract. We are proud to have the sixth member of the Heroes join the majors. We hope he will continue to play well on an even bigger stage." Song joins a distinguished list from his club: Kang Jung-ho (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2015), Park Byung-ho (Minnesota Twins), Kim Ha-seong (Padres, now Atlanta Braves), Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants), and Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers). The last three remain active in MLB.
At Incheon International Airport, Song told reporters, "I'm really grateful that San Diego took such a huge interest in me and offered me a good contract. It's tough to choose just one, but I'd have to go with Manny Machado." Primarily a third baseman, he has experience at second and first base, offering versatility to the Padres' veteran infield featuring Machado and Xander Bogaerts. "First and foremost, I would love to make the major league roster and spend a full year there," he said.
Under KBO rules, the Padres will pay the Heroes a $3 million release fee, 20% of the $15 million guaranteed. Incentives include a $1 million salary bump for 2027 if Song wins 2026 Rookie of the Year, or $1 million per year for top-five MVP finishes. The Heroes have collected over $40 million in such fees to date.
