Song Seong-mun has reached an agreement with the San Diego Padres, reportedly signing a 3-year contract worth $13 million.

One year following Kim Ha-seong's exit, the San Diego Padres will once again acquire a Korean infielder. Reports today indicate that the Padres have signed Song Seong-mun via the international free agent bidding system on a 3-year guaranteed contract worth about $13 million (roughly 400 million New Taiwan dollars) to compete in MLB.

Previously, South Korean media outlet YTN exclusively reported that Song Seong-mun would sign a 3-year, $15 million contract with the Padres. Although no other major Korean media confirmed this, several reputable U.S. sources later verified that the two sides reached an agreement two days before the negotiation window closed, pending a physical exam before the deal is finalized. Reporter Francys Romero revealed the contract amount to be around $13 million over three years.

The 29-year-old Song Seong-mun spent nine seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization exclusively with the Nexen Heroes / Kiwoom Heroes, appearing in 824 games and 3,236 plate appearances. His career batting line stands at .283/.347/.431 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage). Over the past two years, he has significantly improved, posting combined offensive stats of .327/.397/.524 with an overall OPS of 0.921. After hitting a career-high 19 home runs in 2024, he surpassed that with 26 homers this year.

Song primarily played third base in the KBO, but the Padres currently have Manny Machado as their established third baseman. To earn a starting role, Song may need to adapt by playing second or even first base. With Luis Arraez and Ryan O'Hearn entering free agency, the first base position is open, although the team might shift former second baseman Jake Cronenworth back to first. Recently, there have also been rumors that Cronenworth could be traded.