If the teams want to spend on Juan Soto, his price skyrockets.
The San Diego Padres star hit a pair of home runs Friday night that traveled a combined 910 feet in Detroit.
In Soto’s first at bat, he hit 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 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 21, 2023 in Detroit. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Two innings later, Soto stepped up to the plate again, this time with a man on base, and his second home run made his first look like a Little League home run.
Soto hit a 463-foot home run to opposite field at Comerica Park to give the Padres a 5-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers in the third inning.
Soto, naturally, was walked for an MLB-leading 93rd time in his third plate appearance.
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 on 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 successful trade, and helped them reach the NLCS last year.
San Diego improved their already stacked roster by signing shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract. The Padres also signed 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.
With a payroll of more than $256 million with All-Stars across the diamond, the Padres sit fourth in the NL West, entering the game Friday with a 46-51 mark.
The Padres have not decided if they will sell by the August 1 trade deadline. If they do, Soto is considered a front-runner to move.
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 is hitting .266 this season after hitting .242 last year. He has 42 extra-base hits this year (23 doubles, 19 home runs), and his .420 on-base percentage entering Friday is second-best in the majors.