Soto faces free agency: 'This year was really special'

NEW YORK -- Juan Soto walked slowly through the dugout, still wearing a helmet in anticipation of an at-bat that would never come. The Dodgers were gleefully celebrating a championship on and around the Yankee Stadium mound, spurring most of the Yankees to make a hasty retreat toward their clubhouse. He lingered.

Soto removed the helmet and continued holding a bat in his left hand, appearing to collect his thoughts before performing a sign of the cross and pointing skyward. Was it his final act in pinstripes? Seemingly a perfect fit not just in New York but anywhere, Soto should have no shortage of potential suitors following the Yankees’ 7-6 loss in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday.

“It was definitely a tough game to be my last one, but I’m really happy with what we accomplished as a team and how far we got,” Soto said. “Definitely, we wanted to be the last team standing, but things happen.”

The Yankees acquired Soto this past December to bolster their chances of winning a championship, a move that helped them reach their first World Series since 2009.

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But while Soto’s teammates and Yankees fans spent months gushing about his impact and presence -- “Stay with us,” was Giancarlo Stanton’s parting message -- Soto made it clear that he intended to test free agency five days after the World Series.

Soto said he and his agent, Scott Boras, will soon sit down and evaluate his choices. There figures to be numerous offers, with media reports speculating that he may net a contract in excess of $600 million.

“It’s a lot of money that people are talking about,” Soto said. “We’re going to shake it out, what’s my value, where I’m going to be around and go from there.”

The Yankees would love to keep him; as manager Aaron Boone said, “I hope he’s here forever.” They’ll have competition from several teams, almost certainly including the Mets. Soto said that he’d like to play for a winner, but as for the rest of his priorities, those are remaining close to the vest for now.

Asked if he would prefer to stay in New York over anywhere else, Soto said: “I’m really happy with the city, with the team, how these guys do. But at the end of the day, we’re going to look at every situation, every offer that we get, and then take a decision from that.”

Pairing with Aaron Judge at the top of the Yankees' lineup, the 26-year-old Soto displayed power and patience while enjoying his finest offensive season to date, setting career highs in runs (128), hits (166), homers (41) total bases (328), and extra-base hits (76).

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“I’m proud of the year that Juan had,” Judge said. “It was fun to come to work with him every single day. Just the work he puts in behind the scenes, even when the guy was hitting .320, I’d see him hitting late after the games. He was showing up early, doing work.

“Whatever he and his family decide, he prays on it, he’s going to make the right decision for him and his family. We were definitely lucky to have him here and it would be great to keep playing with him.”

It was capped by a postseason that included a go-ahead, three-run homer in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series at Cleveland, an epic seven-pitch battle against Hunter Gaddis that perfectly encapsulated Soto’s swagger and theatrical charm.

“He had a fantastic year,” Gerrit Cole said. “He was just a real Steady Eddie presence for us. He just brought so many great qualities to our club. He’s really earned this opportunity going forward in the next five days, and so on a personal level, I’m excited for him.”

The clock read 1:27 a.m. as Soto shed the backwards Yankees cap he’d kept on throughout his postgame interviews, donning a green and white flannel jacket as he walked out of the home clubhouse. Will he pass through those doors again? Only time will tell, but for now, Boone said it was “an absolute privilege” to have Soto on the roster.

“It was fun getting to know his family a little bit. I consider him family now,” Boone said. “He was just so easy to manage. Just somebody I have a lot of admiration for and a lot of respect for. I hope he's here forever, but I also know I'm excited for him and what the next few months are for him. But from my standpoint, I couldn't have asked for better.”

Soto headlines a group of Yankees without guarantees to return in 2025, which includes Anthony Rizzo (club option), plus potential free agents Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle, Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo.

“This is going to stay in my heart for the rest of my life, this group of guys,” Soto said. “This year was really special for me.”