Yanks' Juan Soto on free agency -- Will hear 'every single team' - ESPN

NEW YORK — Just days after losing in the World Series, New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto will hit the open market as one of the most sought-after players in recent history.

Soto's talent and age — he turned 26 last week — make him attractive to just about any team.

«It's going to be exciting,» Soto said not long after the Yankees' Game 5 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday. «It's going to be a good experience. I think every player in the big league wants to experience this. So it's exciting to see how it's going to be.»

Soto is coming off a monster regular season. He posted a .288 batting average, 41 home runs and 129 walks and a .989 OPS. He ranked fourth in fWAR and is a Gold Glove finalist in right field. He also hit .327 with four home runs this postseason, helping the Yankees earn a spot in the Fall Classic.

«I'm proud of the year that Juan had,» teammate Aaron Judge said. «It was fun to come to work with him every single day. Even when the guy was hitting .320, I'd see him hitting late after games. If he had a oh-fer, he was showing up early doing work. Whatever he decides, whatever him and his family decide… he's going to make the right decision for him. We were definitely lucky to have him here, and it would be great to keep playing with him because he's definitely a special player.»

Judge and Soto formed a dynamic duo in the Yankees lineup, combining for 99 home runs, but Soto was noncommittal about giving the Yankees a leg up on re-signing him. He's not closing any doors on them — or any team in baseball.

«I'm really happy with the city, with the team, but at the end of the day we will see,» Soto said. «We're going to look at every situation, every offer that we get. I don't know what teams want to come after me,