Reports: Padres to sign RHP Michael King, Korean infielder
Sep 27, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (34) delivers during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images The San Diego Padres are signing right-hander Michael King and Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song to free-agent deals, MLB.com reported.
The contract with King is expected to be finalized Friday and is worth $75 million over three years, per the report. It contains opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
King was a key part of the multiplayer deal on Dec. 7, 2023, that sent superstar Juan Soto to the New York Yankees.
In two seasons in San Diego, King has an 18-12 record, a 3.10 ERA and 277 strikeouts over 247 innings of 46 games (45 starts).
The Yankees used him primarily as a reliever over five seasons, in which he made 115 appearances (19 starts). His record with New York was 13-17 with a 3.38 ERA in 247 2/3 innings. He struck out 282 batters.
Song, 29, was posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization. Last season, he was voted KBO Player of the Year by fellow players in the Korea Professional Baseball Players Association.
In 2025, hit a career-high 26 homers, batted .315 and stole 25 bases in 144 games. He had a .530 slugging percentage and .917 OPS.
Since beginning play in Korea in 2015 at age 18, he has a career average of .283 in 824 games. He missed time for mandatory military service in 2020 and '21.
MLB contract figures are not yet available.
--Field Level Media
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