NEW YORK — As the Yankees’ season came to a bitter end in the Bronx on Wednesday, Juan Soto loitered in the team’s dugout as the Dodgers celebrated a championship on Yankee Stadium’s turf.

Soto, already a World Series winner with the Nationals, was the last player to leave the dugout. “A lot of emotions going through my mind,” the impending free agent said after leaving the space for what may have been the last time.

As Soto took questions after Game 5 of the World Series, the subject quickly turned from the Yankees’ devastating loss to the right fielder’s future. As Soto answered, he spoke in the past tense at times.

“This place was really special,” he said. “It’s been a blast for me. I’ve been really happy. Definitely if I’m here or not, I’ll be really happy for the teammates that I have and the people that I got to know in here. This was a really special group. But at the end of the day, we will see what’s going to happen.”

Some Yankees fans, desperate to see Soto in pinstripes long-term, noticed that verbal cue. However, Soto is a well-coached Scott Boras client. Ever since the Yankees acquired the 26-year-old in a blockbuster deal with the Padres last December, he’s done his best not to tip his hand.

Soto wasn’t going to start in the early hours of Thursday morning, not with a contract north of $500 million closer than ever before.

“I’ll be open to listening to every single team. I don’t have any doors closed or anything like that. I’m going to be available for all 30 teams,” Soto said, even though he most certainly won’t sign with the Rockies and White Sox of the world. “I feel like every team has the same opportunities when I’m going into free agency. I don’t want to say anyone has an advantage.”

While every team could use a generational player like Soto, only a few can offer him the necessary money and a chance to contend for a title. While some believe Soto will chase the top dollar, he said that being on a winning team is “one of the biggest factors” in his free agency.

The Yankees, as wells as the Mets, check both boxes thanks to deep postseason runs and wealthy owners, Hal Steinbrenner and Steve Cohen, who are under pressure to put their teams over the top.

The perception is that both New York clubs will lead the Soto sweeps and that the Dominican superstar would like to stay on the East Coast. But Soto, mindful that more suitors could equal more money, rejected any preconceived notions he was asked about.

“I don’t think so,” Soto said of the belief that he’d like to stay in New York City, which has a vibrant Dominican population. “I’m really happy with the city, with the team, how these guys do. At the end of the day, we will see. We are going to look at every situation, every offer that we get and make a decision from there.”

While Soto kept his cards close the vest, he did talk about how much he relished his season with the Yankees. He’s offered similar remarks throughout the year, noting how the clubhouse embraced him, how much success he had hitting in front of Aaron Judge, and how grateful he is for the Bombers’ passionate fan base.

While fans fear that money will speaker louder than all else, many have expressed a hope that Soto’s bond with the Bronx faithful will influence his decision.

He had a different take on that.

“It probably impacts the decision of the ownership,” Soto said, drawing loud laughs. “We will see how it goes. Definitely really excited and really thankful for those fans. They’ve been incredible all year long.”

Soto was then asked if the Yankees will get the final opportunity to match any offers he receives.

He didn’t make any promises.

“The Yankees have open arms to come in and talk to me,” Soto said. “Like I said before, I don’t have any doors closed. I’m going to keep all of my doors open, and whoever wants to come in and talk, we can have a conversation.”

Soto was not the only player peppered with questions about his next steps after the Yankees’ Game 5 loss.

Just about every teammate who spoke fielded inquiries on the topic, including a few who know what it’s like to sign a deal for hundreds of millions of dollars.

“He’s really earned this opportunity,” said Gerrit Cole, who famously wore a Boras Corp. hat after losing the 2019 World Series with Houston, which preceded his own free agency. “So on a personal level, excited for him. He’s done everything he can, so he’s earned that right to make that choice.”

Added Judge: “This guy has no fear. He wants to be a leader. He wants to be in the spotlight. He wants to have those big moments. When you’re a Yankee, you’re going to be put in those situations. So I’d love to have him back, but I’m gonna give him some time to think about it and do what he needs to do with his family and see what happens.”

Judge said that that sentiment — that Soto is wanted back — is shared by the Yankees’ entire clubhouse.

The captain, who went through free agency after the 2022 season, stopped short of a full-court press when it came to pitching Soto on a return, though.

“Just enjoy the process,” Judge said of his advice to Soto. “Very few times in your career do you have a chance to pick where you want to go. A guy like that, he’s going to have every single team that can afford him calling his phone. So just enjoy the process. Talk it over with your family and friends, pray about it, but most importantly, enjoy it.”

Others were more direct when asked about Soto.

“Stay with us,” a smiling Giancarlo Stanton said when asked to share his own advice for his fellow slugger. “I think he understands how special this room and this group is.”

“I hope he’s here forever,” Aaron Boone added, though he’s excited for the opportunity in front of Soto.

The manager added that he considers Soto “family” after a full season together.

For what it’s worth, Soto used the same word when asked what he enjoyed most about this season.

“This is going to stay in my heart for the rest of my life,” Soto said. “This group of guys, this year was really special for me.

“I literally can call them family. I think that was really special.”

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