The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly targeting Song Sung-mun, the recently posted infielder from the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes, as a cost-effective, high-upside solution to their infield depth, particularly at third base as Max Muncy enters the final year of his guaranteed contract.1
The interest in Song, who was a teammate of Dodgers star Hyeseong Kim, is a calculated move that strategically addresses multiple long-term organizational goals without impacting the massive free-agent pursuits the club is known for.2
💰 Cost-Effectiveness vs. Japanese Stars
The primary driver for targeting Song Sung-mun is financial efficiency. The Dodgers are prioritizing him over high-profile Japanese sluggers like Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto due to the astronomical posting fees required for NPB stars.3
- Projected Posting Value: Song Sung-mun’s estimated total contract value, including his posting fee, is projected to be around $12.5 – $15 million over a multi-year deal, similar to the contract given to Hyeseong Kim last winter.4
- The Comparison: This is roughly one-tenth the price of what Murakami is expected to command (projected to be near $90 million), making Song the clear “value for money” option.5
- Contract Context: Max Muncy, 35, had his $10 million team option exercised for 2026, but his aging curve and recent injury history (missing significant time in 2025) necessitate a younger, controllable option for 2027 and beyond. Song, 29, fits that long-term vision.6
📊 Scouting Report: Premium Bat-to-Ball Skills
Song is highly attractive because he offers a unique blend of skills, particularly his strong bat-to-ball ability and power for a middle infielder:7
| KBO 2025 Season Stats | Value | Key Takeaways |
| Position | 3B, 2B, 1B (Versatile) | Fills the exact utility role the Dodgers look for, particularly at the hot corner. |
| Batting Average | .315 | A premium contact hitter who finished 7th in the KBO in average. |
| Home Runs | 26 | Showed career-high power, finishing 6th in the KBO. |
| OPS | .917 | A high-end offensive producer. |
| L/R Balance | Left-Handed Hitter | Provides needed balance to the historically right-handed-heavy Dodgers lineup. |
🌐 Integration Potential & Asian Market Influence
The Dodgers are confident in Song’s potential MLB integration due to the presence of his former Kiwoom teammate:
- The Kim Factor: Song’s former teammate, Hyeseong Kim, had a strong first year with the Dodgers. The success of Kim and the shared cultural experience provide a proven blueprint for Song’s adjustment, a key factor in the Dodgers’ evaluation process.
- Market Expansion: The signing would further solidify the Dodgers’ “stranglehold” and influence in the highly lucrative Asian baseball markets, a clear business objective for the club.
In sum, the pursuit of Song Sung-mun is a classic Andrew Friedman move: low-risk, high-reward acquisition designed to secure a versatile, left-handed infielder for their championship window without impacting their ability to pursue other high-end free agents.
