SPORTS UPDATE

Padres’ Juan Soto hits 910 feet of home runs amid trade speculation

If teams want to spend for Juan Soto, his price is escalating.

The San Diego Padres star blasted a pair of home runs Friday night that traveled a combined 910 feet in Detroit.

In Soto’s first at-bat, he launched a solo home run to give San Diego an early 1-0 lead. 

That one traveled 447 feet, a preview of what was to come.

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Juan Soto after home run

Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park July 21, 2023, in Detroit.  (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

Two innings later, Soto came up to the dish again, this time with a man on base, and his second blast made the first one look like a Little League homer.

Soto hit a 463-foot opposite field home run at Comerica Park to give the Padres a 5-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers in the third inning.

Soto, naturally, was walked for the MLB-leading 93rd time his third plate appearance.

Juan Soto celebrates

Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres smiles in the dugout after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park July 21, 2023, in Detroit.  (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old outfielder was traded to the Padres last year in a blockbuster deal, and he helped them to the NLCS last year.

San Diego improved its already stacked roster by inking shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal. The Padres also inked third baseman Manny Machado to an 11-year, $350 million extension, the fourth-largest in MLB history.

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Despite all the moves, they have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments.

Boasting a payroll of over $256 million with All-Stars all over the diamond, the Padres sit in fourth place in the NL West, entering play on Friday at 46-51.

The Padres have not decided whether they will sell at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. If they do, Soto is considered a top candidate to move.

Juan Soto homer

San Diego Padres left fielder Juan Soto hits a solo home run off Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson in the first inning at Comerica Park.  (Lon Horwedel/USA Today Sports)

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Soto isn’t exactly playing like the MVP candidate he was expected to be. He’s hitting .266 this season after hitting .242 last year. He has 42 extra-base hits this year (23 doubles, 19 homers), and his .420 on-base percentage entering Friday is second-best in the majors.

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