I will consider “every proposal received”

Juan Soto is keeping his options open.

The star outfielder officially became a free agent Thursday following the Dodgers’ World Series victory over the Yankees in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Soto, who turned 26 on Oct. 25, is the top free agent on the market and could command a contract worth more than $600 million.

And while the Yankees and Mets are expected to be his top suitors, Soto has been cagey about his future.

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“I’m very happy with the city, the team, the way these guys are playing, but at the end of the day, we’ll see,” Soto told reporters after Game 5. “We will look at every situation. every offer we receive and make a decision based on that.

“I feel like every team has the same opportunity,” he added. “I don’t want to say that anyone has any advantage because at the end of the day we’ll see what they have and how much they want me.”

Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs this season. He has connections within the Phillies organization and played with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner in the Washington Nationals. He also crossed paths with Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long, who worked for the Nationals from 2018 to 2021.

“I don’t know what teams are going to be after me,” Soto said. “…I don’t have any doors closed. I will be available to all 30 teams.”

If they were to sign Soto, the Phillies’ payroll would be above the third luxury tax threshold of $281 million. This carries significant penalties, including moving their top 2026 draft pick back 10 spots.

While Soto is keeping all the doors open, his Yankees teammates are doing everything they can to keep him around.

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“I think everyone in this room wants him back,” Aaron Judge said. “You could look at the statistics and what he did on the field; I think that’s the type of leader he is at this club. He just does a lot of little things that people don’t notice that really make him one of the best players, if not the best player in the game. … I would definitely like to see him in pinstripes for a long time.”

Teams can begin negotiations with free agents starting the day after the World Series, but players cannot sign with a new team until Monday at 5 p.m.