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 memory.

Soto’s talent and age (he turned 26 last week) make him attractive to almost any team.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Soto said Wednesday not long after the Yankees’ Game 5 loss to the Dodgers. “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 will turn out.”

Soto is coming off a monstrous 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 Juan had,” teammate Aaron Judge said. “It was fun coming to work with him every day. Even when the guy was hitting .320, I would see him hitting late after games. If he had an oh-fer, he would show up early to work. So what also. he decides, whatever he 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 continue playing with him because he is absolute a special player.’

Judge and Soto were a dynamic duo in the Yankees lineup, combining for 99 home runs, but Soto was noncommittal about giving the Yankees an edge by re-signing him. He doesn’t close any doors on them, or on any baseball team.

“I’m very happy with the city and with the team, but in the end we’ll see,” Soto said. “We’re going to look at every situation, every offer we get. I don’t know which teams want to come after me, but I’ll definitely be open to listening to any team. I haven’t closed any doors or anything like that, so we will be available to all 30 teams.”

While any team could use his talent, only a handful are likely to be able to afford his huge payday. Both New York teams are a natural fit, as are almost all other major franchises. Soto was asked about the possibility of receiving a deal that could be worth more than $600 million.

“It’s a lot of money that people are talking about here and there, but we’re definitely going to shake it off,” he said. “What is my value?”

That’s a question his agent, Scott Boras, will answer starting next week at general manager meetings in Texas. If the past is any indication for Boras’ top customers, a decision won’t come quickly. In the meantime, the Yankees can make their pitch from either the manager’s office or the clubhouse.

“I hope he’s here forever, but I also know I’m excited for him and what the next few months will be for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But from my point of view, I couldn’t have asked for better.”

Judge added: “I think everyone in this room wants him back. … He just does a lot of the little things that people don’t notice that really make him one of the best players, if not the best player in the game.”

Soto was asked what his priority will be in free agency.

“I feel like everyone wants to be on a winning team,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest things you look up to. You want to be a part of this. Even if you don’t make the final team, you want to be involved in all these games, so I think that’s one of the biggest things I’m looking for.”

The Yankees also have a handful of other decisions to make regarding potential free agents, starting with a $17 million option on first baseman Anthony Rizzo for next season. X-rays will be taken Thursday on two broken fingers he played during the postseason. Regardless of the team’s decision, Rizzo, 35, said he wanted to keep playing.

“I don’t know what the future will bring,” Rizzo said. “Talk to Cash (Brian Cashman), see what they think. We still have a lot to give in this game, in a lot of different ways.”

Pitchers Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle are also free agents, as are infielder Gleyber Torres and outfielder Alex Verdugo.

“I just started really thinking about it,” Verdugo said of free agency. “It’s the closest group of guys I’ve been around and these guys make me emotional just because of how much they mean to me and how much they’ve accepted me and let me in. So we have some things to think about, but I definitely would like to be back in pinstripes to help us win one.”

Soto expressed his desire to win it all after falling just short with the Yankees. But will it be for the other New York team or someone else? The intrigue will likely be similar to that of Shohei Ohtani’s free agency last season, when he signed for more than $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the Yankees to win the World Series. Soto’s deal probably won’t reach Ohtani levels, but it will certainly be rich.

“Leaving any place that’s a winning team? It’s always hard, and this place was definitely very special,” Soto said. “It was great for me. I have been very happy. Whether I’m here or not, I’m very happy for the teammates I have and the people I’ve met here. This was truly a special group.”