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Photos: A front row seat to the Padres’ historic week

Padres players surround Brandon Drury, center, for a photo after he
Padres players surround Brandon Drury, center, for a photo after he hit a grand slam in the first inning against the Rockies at Petco Park on Tuesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The Padres made one of the biggest trades in Major League Baseball history for Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals, and that was only part of the Padres’ blockbuster week.

By K.C. Alfred
San Diego Union-Tribune
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The Padres on Tuesday pulled off one of the biggest deals in the history of Major League Baseball when they acquired outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals.

In a separate deal, the team traded for Brandon Drury, who hit a first-inning, first-pitch grand slam in front of a packed house Wednesday night at Petco Park — how’s that for an introduction?

On Monday, pitcher Joe Musgrove, the 29-year-old lifelong San Diegan signed a five-year contract extension that will guarantee him $100 million through 2027.

Earlier Monday, the team traded for one of the game’s top closers, Josh Hader.

World Series or bust, the buzz is in the air San Diego.

Fans try to catch a ball thrown by a player as the San Diego Padres played the Colorado R
Fans try to catch a ball thrown by a player as the Padres played the Rockies at Petco Park on Thursday. CEO Erik Greupner told the Union-Tribune the club already has eclipsed the sales record of 18,808 established in 2004, the season Petco Park opened. New ticket requests for the 2023 season pushed that total to more than 20,200 since news of the Soto trade broke. “The fan response has been exceptional,” Greupner said. “Right now, people are realizing, I don’t want to be on the outside looking in.”
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres' Juan Soto hits a triple in the sixth inning against the Rockies on Thursday.
Padres’ Juan Soto hits a triple in the sixth inning against the Rockies on Thursday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Fans hold up a sign for Juan Soto on Thursday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres' Trent Grisham, Juan Soto and Nomar Mazara celebrate after a 9-1 win against the Colorado
Padres’ Trent Grisham, Juan Soto and Nomar Mazara celebrate after a 9-1 win against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on Wednesday
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A fan holds up a bat that flew out of the hands of Rockies' Elehuris Montero into the
A fan holds up a bat that flew out of the hands of Rockies’ Elehuris Montero into the stands at Petco Park on Wednesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres right fielder Juan Soto waves to the crowd at the start of a game against the Rockies at Petco Park on Wednesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The sun sets as the San Diego Padres played the Colorado Rockies to one of the largest crowds ever
The sun sets as the San Diego Padres played the Colorado Rockies to one of the largest crowds ever at Petco Park on Wednesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres' Brandon Drury rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam in the first inning against th
Padres’ Brandon Drury rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam in the first inning against the Rockies at Petco Park on Wednesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego Padres' players Josh Bell, left, Juan Soto, were introduces by general manager A.J. Preller and o
San Diego Padres’ players Josh Bell, left, Juan Soto, were introduced by general manager A.J. Preller and owner Peter Seidler at a news conference at Petco Park on Tuesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Padres announced the trade for Juan Soto and Josh Bell during a game against the Rockies at
The Padres announced the trade for Juan Soto and Josh Bell during a game against the Rockies at Petco Park on Tuesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Padres acquired closer Josh Hader from the Brewers, shown here talking with the media before a game on Tuesday morning.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A. J. Preller, the president of baseball operations and general manager for the San Diego Padres talks on the
A. J. Preller, the president of baseball operations and general manager for the San Diego Padres talks on the phone as the trading deadline ended. The Padres were involved in one of the biggest trades in team history.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres' pitcher Joe Musgrove reacts to the crowd after they announced his five-year contract during
Padres’ pitcher Joe Musgrove reacts to the crowd after they announced his five-year contract during a game against the Rockies at Petco Park on Monday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres general manager A.J. Preller talks with Joe Musgrove after he signed a five-year, $10
Padres general manager A.J. Preller talks with Joe Musgrove after he signed a five-year, $100 million contact at Petco Park.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres' first baseman Eric Hosmer catches a foul ball but was ruled it hit the net first against
Padres’ first baseman Eric Hosmer catches a foul ball but was ruled it hit the net first against the Twins on Sunday. Hosmer would be traded to the Red Sox on Tuesday.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Padres pitchers Yu Darvish, MacKenzie Gore, Mike Clevinger, and Blake Snell walk to the dugout b
Padres pitchers Yu Darvish, MacKenzie Gore, Mike Clevinger, and Blake Snell walk to the dugout before a game against the Twins on Sunday. Gore would be traded two days later.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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K.C. Alfred

K.C. Alfred has been a staff photographer at the Union-Tribune since 2001. Prior to the U-T, K.C. was a staff photographer at the Ventura County Star. His photographs have been published in newspapers and magazines worldwide. During his career, he has photographed four Olympic Games, along with countless NFL, MLB, PGA and NCAA sporting events.