The Kiwoon Heroes, of the Korea Baseball Organisation (KBO) league, announced that they posted their All-Star captain Sung-mun Song for Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. The negotiation time will expire on Sunday, December 21. If no MLB teams show interest in Song, who was Korea’s captain at the WBSC Premier12 2024, he will return to the Kiwoom Heroes.
In August, Song signed a six-year deal with Kiwoon worth 12 billion won (US$8.7 million), which, according to the Heroes, is the most lucrative contract ever signed by a non-free-agent position player in KBO history.
“It’s a bit embarrassing to talk about myself, but I think I am a versatile player who can do everything well, be it hitting, fielding and baserunning,” Song told reporters after receiving an Award as the season’s best third baseman. “I am not a one-dimensional player who can only hit but can’t run the bases well. I think scouts like that about me.”
He added, “Unless I hit 60 home runs next year, I don’t think I can take another crack after this. As a ball player, I think I poured everything I have into this season. I think I will be able to accept whatever outcome I get.”
Song, 29, has played for the Heroes since 2015 (Nexen from 2015 to 2018 and Kiwoom since). A left-handed hitter, he has played 824 games (548 at third base, 194 at second and 85 at first) and collected 818 hits, including 80 home runs, 144 doubles and 22 triples. He batted in (RBIs) 454 runs and stole 51 bases. He enjoyed his best campaigns in 2024 (.340 batting average, 19 home runs and 104 RBIs) and 2025 (.315 batting average, 26 home runs and 90 RBIs).
Song played five games, starting three, at the WBSC Premier12 2024, where Korea finished fifth.
