The San Diego Padres have bolstered their roster by agreeing to a contract with South Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song, pending a physical examination. This agreement, confirmed by a league source to The Athletic on March 15, 2024, is expected to provide Song with a guaranteed amount of approximately $13 million over a three-year period.
The deal, initially reported by FanSided, positions the Padres to enhance their offense with a versatile left-handed hitter capable of playing every infield position except shortstop. At 29 years old, Song is a late-blooming talent and a former teammate of Ha-Seong Kim, who previously played for the Padres.
In the 2023 season, Song demonstrated significant offensive prowess while playing for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He achieved a batting average of .315 along with a remarkable on-base percentage of .387, hitting 26 home runs and stealing 25 bases. Talent evaluators have indicated that while Song shows great potential, he may be more suited for a utility role in the major leagues rather than as an everyday starter.
Over the past two seasons, Song has notably improved his offensive output, recording an OPS (on-base plus slugging) exceeding .900 in both years, a stark contrast to his figures below .700 from 2021 to 2022. For context, Kim consistently produced an OPS above .800 during his six full seasons in the KBO, showcasing Song’s significant growth.
Primarily a third baseman, Song has also played second base and first base throughout his career. With the Padres, it is anticipated that he will primarily occupy the latter two positions, providing occasional support for third baseman Manny Machado. The Padres already have Jake Cronenworth, another left-handed infielder, firmly positioned at second base; however, Cronenworth has been a trade candidate during the offseason, which could create opportunities for Song.
Last month, the Heroes posted Song for major league teams, initiating a 30-day window for him to secure an agreement in the United States before the deadline. The Padres will need to pay the Heroes a posting fee equivalent to 20 percent of the total contract guarantee, adding an additional financial consideration to the deal.
As the Padres continue to reshape their roster, the addition of Sung-Mun Song marks a strategic move to enhance their infield depth and offensive capabilities heading into the upcoming season.
