Sung-mun Song represents the San Diego Padres’ biggest swing thus far at attempting to fix their offense, though he’s more utility player than middle-of-the-order slugger.

That’s not to say he can’t be an impact addition. He’s coming off a season in which he posted a .917 OPS in 144 games, and he also hit career highs in home runs (26) and stolen bases (25). Those numbers will naturally decline as he transitions from the KBO to the MLB, but he’s got the defensive versatility and all-around game to feature regularly in Craig Stammen’s lineup.

But if the team wants a true starter at first base — or a potential replacement for Jake Cronenworth if he’s traded away — they may turn to Kazuma Okamoto.

Kazuma Okamoto fits Padres’ timeline and budget after Sung-mun Song signing

Okamoto’s posting window closes shortly after New Year’s Day (Jan. 4, to be precise), meaning that time is running out for the 29-year-old NPB star to make his free agency decision.

The same was true for Munetaka Murakami before he settled for a below-market, two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox. If the same is true for Okamoto, he could be a perfect fit for San Diego’s tight budget after signing Song and Michael King.

Now, Murakami was dealing with bigger concerns than Okamoto (he has very problematic strikeout tendencies), but that the “Babe Ruth of Higo” only got $34 million on the open market doesn’t bode well for Okamoto’s chances of striking it rich. As someone who may be confined to first base in the major leagues, the elder Japanese star may also have to settle for a more-reasonable-than-expected contract.

That would be a boon for the Padres, who could really use a bat of Okamoto’s caliber in the middle of the lineup. His presence at first base would allow Stammen to be flexible with Song, a versatile infielder who probably has the chops to hang in the outfield corners as well. That’d give the Friars far more flexibility than they’ve enjoyed in years past, plus a huge upgrade over the Luis Arraez-Ryan O’Hearn tandem they ran out at the cold corner in 2025.

Remember, the Padres have been involved in his market since the beginning, scouting him prior to the opening of his posting window. After the highest tier of free-agent bats, headlined by Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette — all of whom are well outside the franchise’s price range — Okamoto highlights the group of the best available players.

After winning the Song sweepstakes, taking home Okamoto would represent a far bigger prize for the Padres and a legitimate route back to fielding one of the best offenses in the National League.