The New York Yankees’ yr got here to an in depth on Wednesday night time with a loss in World Sequence Recreation 5 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Whereas the Dodgers moved on to celebrating and planning their championship parade, the Yankees needed to shift their focus to the long run. Which means, amongst different issues, accepting the likelihood that star outfielder Juan Soto will depart the group this winter by way of free company.

Soto, who turned 26 final week, would be the high free agent out there when the market opens on Monday. Just one participant in Main League Baseball historical past has amassed as many Wins Above Alternative as Soto at this level and reached free company of their mid-20s: former Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez. Coincidentally, each Soto and Rodriguez are/had been represented by tremendous agent Scott Boras.

Predictably, Soto’s looming free company was a subject of dialogue after Recreation 5 Wednesday.

“You by no means know. On the finish of the day, we’ll see the place we’re at,” Soto mentioned when requested in regards to the probability of Recreation 5 being his last contest in pinstripes. “Positively a troublesome sport to be my final one. However actually proud of what we achieved as a group and the way far we acquired.”

As for his rumored desire for remaining in New York — a predilection that, if true, would recommend he’ll signal with the Yankees or Mets — Soto performed coy.

“I am actually proud of town, with the group, how these guys do,” Soto mentioned. “On the finish of the day, we’re gonna take a look at each scenario, each supply that we’ll get and take the choice from there.”

Each group, he mentioned, has the “similar alternative.”

Soto’s bidding is anticipated to exceed $500 million and maybe get nicely into the $600 million vary.