*This content was translated by AI.
Good news has been delivered for Song Sung-moon (30, San Diego Padres) in the main competition. Okamoto Kazuma (30), a former infielder from the NPB's home run king, will head to the Toronto Blue Jays in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) where Cody Ponce (32) is involved.
The Major League's official website MLB.com said on the 4th (Korea time) that "Okamoto signed a four-year contract worth 60 million dollars (about 86.8 billion won) with Toronto."
Okamoto will receive $5 million as a down payment, according to the Associated Press. He will then receive an annual salary of $7 million in the 2026 season, and will receive an annual salary of $16 million for each of the three seasons until the 2029 season.
One of the reasons why attention was paid to Okamoto's future as the "No. 4 hitter for the Japanese national team." It was because it was connected to the Songseongmun Gate. On the 29th of last month, Francis Romero, a reporter from the American Baseball Journalists Association (BBWAA), said on his social networking service (SNS), "San Diego is one of the clubs interested in Okamoto."
Okamoto's main position is third baseman, overlapping with Song Sung-moon. Nominated by the Yomiuri Giants as the No. 1 rookie draft, he marked a career batting average of 0.273, 248 home runs, 717 RBIs, and 0.882 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 11 seasons from the 2015 season. In particular, he won the Central League home run king in the 2020 season, 2021 season, and 2023 season. He is the leading hitter of Japanese baseball who has been selected as an All-Star six times. At the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), he also hit the final home run in the final against the U.S.
However, he played only 69 games in the 2025 season due to an elbow injury. Nevertheless, he had a good batting average of 0.327 (82 hits in 251 at-bats), 15 homers, 49 RBIs, and 1.014 OPS.
If he entered San Diego, his position would inevitably overlap with Song Sung-moon right away. On top of that, the possibility of Song Sung-moon's conversion to the outfield recently was raised, adding to the anxiety. MLB Trade Rumors said on the 27th of last month that "San Diego is considering using Song Sung-moon as an outfielder." It was shocking because it was Song Sung-moon who had never played outfield defense on the professional stage.
At the press conference for Song Sung-moon's joining, San Diego's new coach Craig Staman (42) said, "We will try to make room for Song Sung-moon's batting ability in any position in the lineup," adding, "We will find a position where we can perform productively." There must be several suitable positions," he said.
Song Sung-moon succeeded in entering the big league by signing a four-year contract worth $15 million (about 22.2 billion won) with San Diego last month. Details of the contract were also disclosed. First, a down payment of 1 million dollars (about 1.5 billion won) will be divided into two. The down payment will be paid to Sungmoon Song in January 2026 and January 2027, respectively.
The annual salary for the 2026 season is $2.5 million, which is about 3.7 billion won in Korean money. He will then receive $3 million (about 4.4 billion won) in the 2027 season and $3.5 million (about 5.2 billion won) in 2028, respectively. On top of that, if he stays in San Diego as a player option in 2029, he will receive $4 million (about 5.9 billion won). Song Sung-moon will have the right to exercise his one-year option after playing for three seasons.
In 2030, the fifth year, $7 million (about 10.4 billion won) of mutual options was included. If the mutual option is not implemented, the San Diego club will pay Song Sung-moon $1 million (1.48 billion won) as a buyout amount.
Song Sung-moon should compete fiercely for the starting lineup from the spring camp right away. Not only competition with existing prominent superstars, but also competition with prospects who are aiming for a call-up in the minor leagues is inevitable. In the meantime, it can be said that it is meaningful that FanGraph predicted Song Sung-moon's selection as a starter. If Song Sung-moon shows good performance in the exhibition game in February, the time to be registered on the dream major league roster may be faster.
Song Sung-moon said, "I know that there are some people who are worried about that part," regarding the expected tough competition for the starting lineup after entering the country. In fact, the U.S. is really the best stage. I think it's natural to compete no matter which team you go to. The same is true for both South Korea and the United States. There are many good players on any team. Now it's important for me to compete on the spot and show good performance. There will be many things to learn by being with good players. Just as (Kim)Ha-sung survived by competing with good players in the United States, I will prepare well to show that." San Diego General Manager A.J. Preller said, "I expect you to take on various roles" regarding Song's role.
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*This content was translated by AI.
