Soto has no preference in free agency: Will consider 'every offer'
The Juan Soto sweepstakes are about to begin, and returning to the New York Yankees may not be the star outfielder's preference.
"I don't think so," Soto responded when asked if the perception of him preferring to stay in New York is accurate, according to SNY.
"I'm really happy with the city, with the team, how these guys do. At the end of the day, we're gonna look at every situation, every offer that we'll get, and take the decision from there."
Soto and the Yankees fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, officially making the 26-year-old a free agent Thursday. However, he'll have to wait until five days after the Fall Classic to sign with a new team.
"It's going to be exciting. It's gonna be a good experience," Soto said. "Every player in the big leagues wants to experience how it's gonna be."
The Yankees are expected to be in the running to re-sign Soto, who could ink one of the largest contracts in baseball history after a stellar campaign in his first season in New York.
The All-Star enters free agency carrying a career .285/.421/.532 slash line with 201 home runs and 592 RBIs in 936 games. Soto has also won a batting title and Home Run Derby and was a member of the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals.
"I feel like every team has the same opportunities when I go into free agency," Soto said. "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."
Soto said he'll consider all options with his agent, even if the money's right from the Yankees. He was undecided when asked if Wednesday's loss was his last game with the club.
"You never know. At the end of the day, we'll see where we're at," Soto said. "Definitely a tough game to be my last one. But really happy with what we accomplished as a team and how far we got."