NEW YORK — Juan Soto walked slowly by the dugout, nonetheless sporting a helmet in anticipation of an at-bat that will by no means come. The Dodgers had been gleefully celebrating a championship on and across the Yankee Stadium mound, spurring many of the Yankees to make a hasty retreat towards their clubhouse. He lingered.
Soto eliminated the helmet and continued holding a bat in his left hand, showing to gather his ideas earlier than performing an indication of the cross and pointing skyward. Was it his remaining act in pinstripes? Seemingly an ideal match not simply in New York however anyplace, Soto shouldn’t have any scarcity of potential suitors following the Yankees’ 7-6 loss in Sport 5 of the World Sequence on Wednesday.
“It was positively a tricky recreation to be my final one, however I’m actually pleased with what we completed as a workforce and the way far we received,” Soto mentioned. “Positively, we wished to be the final workforce standing, however issues occur.”
The Yankees acquired Soto this previous December to bolster their possibilities of successful a championship, a transfer that helped them attain their first World Sequence since 2009.
However whereas Soto’s teammates and Yankees followers spent months gushing about his impression and presence — “Stick with us,” was Giancarlo Stanton’s parting message — Soto made it clear that he supposed to check free company 5 days after the World Sequence.
Soto mentioned he and his agent, Scott Boras, will quickly sit down and consider his decisions. There figures to be quite a few gives, with media studies speculating that he could web a contract in extra of $600 million.
“It’s some huge cash that individuals are speaking about,” Soto mentioned. “We’re going to shake it out, what’s my worth, the place I’m going to be round and go from there.”
The Yankees would like to hold him; as supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned, “I hope he’s right here ceaselessly.” They’ll have competitors from a number of groups, nearly actually together with the Mets. Soto mentioned that he’d wish to play for a winner, however as for the remainder of his priorities, these are remaining near the vest for now.
Requested if he would favor to remain in New York over anyplace else, Soto mentioned: “I’m actually pleased with the town, with the workforce, how these guys do. However on the finish of the day, we’re going to take a look at each state of affairs, each provide that we get, after which take a choice from that.”
Pairing with Aaron Choose on the high of the Yankees’ lineup, the 26-year-old Soto displayed energy and endurance whereas having fun with his best offensive season up to now, setting profession highs in runs (128), hits (166), homers (41) complete bases (328), and extra-base hits (76).
“I’m happy with the yr that Juan had,” Choose mentioned. “It was enjoyable to come back to work with him each single day. Simply the work he places in behind the scenes, even when the man was hitting .320, I’d see him hitting late after the video games. He was displaying up early, doing work.
“No matter he and his household resolve, he prays on it, he’s going to make the precise determination for him and his household. We had been positively fortunate to have him right here and it could be nice to maintain taking part in with him.”
It was capped by a postseason that included a go-ahead, three-run homer in Sport 5 of the American League Championship Sequence at Cleveland, an epic seven-pitch battle towards Hunter Gaddis that completely encapsulated Soto’s swagger and theatrical attraction.
“He had a incredible yr,” Gerrit Cole mentioned. “He was only a actual Regular Eddie presence for us. He simply introduced so many nice qualities to our membership. He’s actually earned this chance going ahead within the subsequent 5 days, and so forth a private degree, I’m excited for him.”
The clock learn 1:27 a.m. as Soto shed the backwards Yankees cap he’d saved on all through his postgame interviews, donning a inexperienced and white flannel jacket as he walked out of the house clubhouse. Will he go by these doorways once more? Solely time will inform, however for now, Boone mentioned it was “an absolute privilege” to have Soto on the roster.
“It was enjoyable attending to know his household just a little bit. I think about him household now,” Boone mentioned. “He was simply really easy to handle. Simply anyone I’ve plenty of admiration for and plenty of respect for. I hope he is right here ceaselessly, however I additionally know I am excited for him and what the subsequent few months are for him. However from my standpoint, I could not have requested for higher.”
Soto headlines a gaggle of Yankees with out ensures to return in 2025, which incorporates Anthony Rizzo (membership possibility), plus potential free brokers Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle, Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo.
“That is going to remain in my coronary heart for the remainder of my life, this group of men,” Soto mentioned. “This yr was actually particular for me.”
