Yankees' Juan Soto on entering free agency: 'I'm open to listening to every single team'

There will be plenty of suitors for Juan Soto's services this offseason, and the 26-year-old outfielder, coming off a second straight season with at least 35 home runs and 100 RBI, is ready to listen to every single pitch.

“I'm really happy with the city, with the team, but at the end of the day we'll see,” Soto said after the New York Yankees lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 on Wednesday. “We will look at every situation and every offer we get. I don't know which teams will want to come after me, but I will definitely be open to listening to each and every team. I don’t have any doors closed or anything like that, so we’ll be available to all 30 teams.”

Soto is expected to sign a massive contract, but will he return to the Yankees, where he played in his second World Series, or will he move on to the fourth MLB team of his career?

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will do everything he can to keep Soto, who posted a .327 batting average with four home runs and nine RBI in the playoffs. Aaron Judge would like to see him back to strengthen the lineup after the two combined for 99 home runs in the regular season.

“I’m proud of the year Juan had,” Judge said. “It was fun coming to work with him every day. Even when the guy hit .320, I saw him hit late after games. When he had an oh-fer, he came to work early. Whatever.” He decides, whatever he and his family decide…he will make the right decision for him. We were definitely lucky to have him here and it would be great to continue playing with him because he is definitely a special player.

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Soto said he wants to continue to be part of a winning team, but winning the AL East and AL pennants last season doesn't guarantee the Yankees have an advantage over other contenders.

“I feel like every team has an equal opportunity,” Soto said. “I don’t want to say anyone has an advantage.”

Few teams will be able to afford what Soto has to offer when he hits the free agent market for the first time in his career. The Yankees will be one of them and fans have made it clear throughout the season that they want him back. But will good memories be enough to keep him in the Bronx?

“Leaving any place where there is a winning team? It’s always hard, and this place was definitely special,” Soto said. “It was great fun for me. I was really happy. Whether I'm here or not, I'm really happy for the teammates I have and the people I've met here. That was a very special group.”