NEW YORK — When the yankees They were finally hugged and the tears dried more than an hour after losing the World Series to the Dodgers in unfathomable fashion. juan soto He took a turn doing a postgame interview in the middle of the clubhouse.

There were two questions about the The Yankees’ 7-6 defeat, full of errors in Game 5, then 10 minutes in free agency.

It’s here. The Yankees have exclusive negotiating rights for five days, but there is absolutely no chance they will reach a deal before Monday.

The biggest takeaway?

Soto was given multiple opportunities to say he would like to stay with the Yankees, but he passed on all of them.

Agent Scott Boras has this young man trained.

Soto also made it clear that the Yankees will not get a home discount. He says that all 30 teams are in play and that his most important criterion will be to choose a winning team.

“I feel like every team has the same opportunity when I go into free agency,” Soto said. “I don’t want to say that anyone has any advantage, because at the end of the day we’re going to see what they have.”

Soto also included a funny quote when asked if Yankees fans’ love for him could affect his decision:

“It will probably affect the owners’ decision! We’ll see how it goes. I’m definitely very excited and very grateful for those fans. “They have been incredible all year.”

What Soto should have said if he wants to go to a winning team that offers the most money.

Initial speculation is that Soto will receive at least $600 million.

“That’s a lot of money that people talk about here,” he said.

Will the Yankees go that high? Here’s the latest:

An industry source told NJ Advance Media baseball columnist Bob Klapisch on Wednesday that the Yankees will be “competitive.”

That may not be enough if the Mets or someone else agrees.

Questions about Soto’s future began when he was asked if he believes he has played his last game as a Yankee.

“You never know,” he responded. “At the end of the day, we’ll see where we are. It’s definitely a tough game to be the last one, but I’m very happy with what we accomplished as a team and how far we came. “We definitely wanted to be the last team standing, but things happen.”

Soto was then asked if he hopes to return to the Yankees if he has the right money. Even then, he wouldn’t say yes.

“We have to sit down and discuss it every chance we get with my agent,” he said.

Here are some other highlights:

Soto on free agency:

“It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be a good experience. “I think every major league player wants to experience what free agency will be like.”

Soto on whether the perception is that he wants to sign with the Yankees or Mets:

“I don’t think so. I’m very happy with the city, with the team, with how these guys are doing. But at the end of the day we’ll see. We will analyze each situation and each offer I receive and we will make a decision.

Soto talks about whether he thinks the Mets will pursue him:

“I don’t know the teams that want to come after me, but I will definitely be open to any and all teams. I don’t have any doors closed, so I will be available for all 30 teams.

Soto on whether it would be difficult to leave the Yankees:

“Leaving any place where there is a winning team is always complicated. This place was definitely really special. It has been wonderful for me. I have been really happy. Definitely whether I’m here or not. I would be very happy for the team. The people I met here were a really special group. But at the end of the day, we’ll see what’s going to happen.

Soto comments if it would be difficult to lose Judge as a teammate:

“I’m very, very happy with what we did as a duo this year, as teammates. “Simply incredible. I really learned a lot of things from him. It was really cool to see. “I’m going to take that to the next step.”

Soto on possibly leaving Yankees after hitting 41 home runs behind Judge

“I would say this will stay in my heart for the rest of my life, this group of guys. This year is really special for me. But I’m definitely very proud of myself for what I accomplished. Thanks to the judge.”

Soto on whether he would like to return to the Yankees and try to win the World Series next year by losing this season:

“We’re going to look at the Yankees as one of the teams I’m going to try to be with and go from there.”

Soto asks if he will give the Yankees a chance to match high offers:

“I have open arms to the Yankees to allow them to come and talk to me. I don’t have any closed doors. “I’m going to keep all my doors open and whoever wants to come in and talk, we’ll have a good conversation.”

Soto on the message his Yankees teammates sent him about free agency:

“They just wish me the best of luck. Make sure you do what’s best for me and my family. These kids were special. “I am very happy to play with them.”

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You can contact Randy Miller at [email protected].

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