KBO All-Star Song Sung-mun signs with San Diego Padres: reports

Music Sung-mun of the Kiwoom Heroes poses with the Participant of the Yr trophy on the Actual Glove Award ceremony on the Grand Walkerhill Seoul resort, Dec. 1. Yonhap

Korean star Music Sung-mun has reportedly signed his first main league contract with the San Diego Padres.

Citing sources, a number of studies out of the USA, Friday (native time), claimed Music had agreed to a cope with the Padres, who had not but confirmed the transaction as of this writing.

Music, having performed for the Kiwoom Heroes within the Korea Baseball Group (KBO) since 2015, was posted in November, making himself obtainable for all 30 Main League Baseball (MLB) golf equipment throughout a 30-day negotiating interval. That window was set to shut at 5 p.m. (Jap Time), Sunday, and Music traveled to the U.S., Friday afternoon (KST), to apparently finalize his transfer.

If the deal is finalized, Music will turn into the sixth Heroes participant to maneuver to the MLB, following Kang Jung-ho (Pittsburgh Pirates), Park Byung-ho (Minnesota Twins), Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres), Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) and Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers). Music can even be the third South Korean participant within the Nationwide League West, becoming a member of Lee and Kim Hye-seong.

Music is represented by ISE Baseball, the identical American company that despatched Kim Ha-seong to San Diego once they labored collectively previous to the 2021 season.

Music, 29, is a late-blooming All-Star who had his first breakout marketing campaign in 2024, when he batted .340/.409/.518 and set profession highs with 19 homers, 104 RBIs and 21 steals.

This 12 months, Music overcame a sluggish begin to end with a .315/.387/.530 line, 26 house runs, 90 RBIs and 25 steals. He additionally earned his first Golden Glove award at third base as one of the best general participant at his place and picked up his first KBO Fielding Award on the sizzling nook. He ranked second within the KBO with 6.84 wins above substitute.

Music, who bats left and throws proper, is primarily a 3rd baseman however has additionally frolicked at second and first bases. He additionally performed shortstop in highschool and has stated he may deal with shortstop duties if requested within the MLB.

KBO golf equipment obtain a “launch payment” in the event that they lose a participant to MLB via posting, and the quantity will depend upon the assured portion of the participant’s contract.

The discharge payment is 20 % of the primary $25 million and 17.5 % of the quantity exceeding the subsequent $25 million. As an illustration, if a participant indicators for over $50 million, then his former KBO workforce will obtain 20 % of the primary $25 million ($5 million) and 17.5 % of the subsequent $25 million ($4,375,000), plus 15 % of the quantity exceeding $50 million.