Juan Soto says Yankees dont have edge as he heads into free agency
The Yankees’ season is over, so Juan Soto’s free agency is set to begin.And if this was it for Soto as a Yankee, it ended in ugly fashion, as the Yankees suffered one of their worst losses in franchise history in a 7-6, season-ending defeat to the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.Asked if he considered that this might have been his last home game in The Bronx, Soto said, “You never know.We’ll see where we’re at.
It’s definitely a tough game to be my last.”That’s the next drama, as the 26-year-old star heads to free agency for the first time and he made clear again Wednesday night that the Yankees don’t have any advantage over any other team that pursues him.“I feel every team has the same opportunity,” Soto said.“I don’t want to say anybody has an advantage.”He’s repeated the same sentiment throughout his season with the Yankees and a trip to the World Series — the second of his career — didn’t change that.“I don’t know all the teams that are after me, but I’m definitely open to listen,” Soto said.
“I don’t have any doors closed.I’m available to all 30 teams.”With Scott Boras as his agent, it’s clear Soto is interested in ending up with the highest bidder, but he also wants to win — something that he did with the Yankees.In Game 5, Soto reached base four straight times and scored twice, but with the Yankees trailing by a run in the bottom of the eighth, he led off with a weak grounder to first as they failed to rally after the Dodgers took the lead in the top of the eighth.His memorable go-ahead homer in the ALCS that helped send the Yankees to the World Series in Cleveland won’t soon be forgotten, but it wasn’t followed by a title.Soto certainly would welcome a reunion, but it will only come at his — and agent Scott Boras’ — price.“I hope he’s here forever,” Aaron Boone said, a sentiment shared all over the clubhouse.
“But I also know I’m excited for him and what the next few months...