Dodgers Linked to KBO Star in Unexpected Free Agency Move

By Alex Kirschenbaum

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are casting a wide net when it comes to building out their infield over the winter.

LA has quickly become the most dominant club in MLB, having won each of the last two World Series and three since 2020. But a lot of the Dodgers' top players are on the wrong side of 30, and the team is now seeking to add some young prospects.

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Per Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation, Los Angeles has surprisingly been linked to a new potential long-term solution at third base: Sung Mun Song of the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes. His parent club Kiwoon posted Song on Nov. 20.

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"There's a KBO article that was put out yesterday that suggests that the Dodgers are interested in signing Korean third baseman Sung Mun Song, and that the Dodgers like him over [Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder Munetaka] Murakami and [Yomiuri Giants infielder Kazuma] Okamoto, and that he would be their third baseman of the future," McKain said.

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"So before we say, 'Well, this is just a Korean rumor, there's nothing to this, and this is [worth just] one Dodger Dog,' it could be, there is no doubt about it," McKain noted. "But it does at least spark the conversation about what the Dodgers are going to do at third base and beyond."

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At 29, the 6-footer is no spring chicken, but his tantalizing upside makes him a fit worthy of consideration. He's also notably younger than 35-year-old infielder Max Muncy and 36-year-old free agent shortstop Miguel Rojas.

With a projected contract in the $12.5 million range, per Daniel Santiago of Sportskeeda, Song would be a more cost-effective alternative to Murakami. Murakami is set to earn $90 million on his next deal. Song, a team captain in 2025, notched a batting average of .315, while logging 90 RBIs and a career-most 26 home runs.

A southpaw as a hitter but a right-handed infielder, Song is now able to sign an MLB player through Dec. 21, according to The Associated Press. All told, Song boasts a .284 batting average, 454 RBIs and 80 home runs across his nine seasons with first Nexen and later Kiwoom.

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