The off-season of Juan Soto is officially underway.
After losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night, all eyes in the baseball world will now turn to Soto as the New York Yankees outfielder becomes a free agent.
The 25-year-old superstar, who is represented by Scott Boras, was asked after the game about his future and whether he wants to be back in pinstripes for the long run “if the money was right.”
“We gotta sit down and look at it whenever we have a chance with my agent. We’ll see what [we’re] gonna do,” Soto said.
New York acquired the four-time All-Star in an off-season trade from the San Diego Padres, and Soto instantly proved to be a difference maker and star clearly built for the bright lights of New York.
Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in a season, which should have him near the top of most MVP ballots. By fWAR, Soto was the third-most valuable player in the American League, trailing only teammate Aaron Judge and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
Coming off his seventh big league campaign, Soto will likely be one of the highest-regarded free agents in MLB history, based on his age, talent level, marketability and accomplishments both in the regular and post-season.
The left-handed swinging Soto already won a World Series title, helping the Washington Nationals win the Commissioner’s Trophy as a 20-year-old in 2019 and establishing his stardom for years to come.
“It’s going to be exciting. It’s gonna be a good experience,” Soto said of entering the open market. “I think every player in the big leagues wants to experience how it’s gonna be.”
Soto also provided one of the most memorable Yankees playoff moments since their last World Series title in 2009, when he launched a go-ahead homer in the 10th inning of Game 5 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians.
With everything said and done this October, Soto ended the playoffs with a .327/.469/.633 slash line over 14 games with three doubles, four home runs, nine RBIs, 14 walks and 12 runs scored.
“Leaving any place that is a winning team is always hard,” Soto said when asked if it would be tough to leave the Yankees. “This place was really special. It’s been a blast for me. I’ve been really happy. If I’m here or not, I’ll be really happy for the teammates I had and the people I’ve gotten to know here. This was a really special group, but at the end of the day, we’ll see what’s going to happen.”
No matter how much Soto enjoyed his season in the Bronx, it seems like the Yankees, like any other team, are going to have to pay up to receive his services in 2025.
“I feel like every team has the same opportunities when I go into free agency,” Soto answered when he was asked if the Yankees have any advantage in free agency. “I don’t want to say anyone has an advantage because, at the end of the day, we’re gonna look at what they have and how much they want me.”
After the disappointing World Series finish, Soto wasn’t the only Yankees star asked about the prospect of what his departure would mean to the franchise.
“He’s an incredible athlete, incredible player and an even better person,” Judge said about the other half of New York’s dynamic duo. “What he brought inside this clubhouse, a lot of people didn’t get a chance to see. Wherever he lands, wherever he ends up, that team’s gonna be very lucky, that’s for sure.”
MLB will enter a quiet period over the next five days before free agents can officially negotiate contracts with other franchises, but after that, Soto and every other player available on the market is open for business.