Watch: Soto grounds out in potential final at-bat as a Yankee

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen (49) forces out New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) during the eighth inning in Game 5 of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Watch: Juan Soto grounds out in potential final at-bat as a Yankee

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Oct 30, 2024 11:53 PM ET

The New York Yankees came up short in their World Series comeback effort, falling 7-6 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5.

"The Bronx Bombers" held a 5-0 lead at one point before multiple defensive mistakes in the fifth inning led to a tie game and then eventually a fully blown lead later in the game.

One of those early runs was scored by star outfielder Juan Soto who the club traded for in 2023 from the San Diego Padres.

Soto, who signed a one-year $31M extension for the 2024 season, is set to become a free agent this offseason so his final at-bat as a Yankee was possibly a groundout in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Was that the final at-bat in a Yankees uniform for Juan Soto?#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/h3SNwHUQfW
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 31, 2024

If so, it would've been an underwhelming and disappointing ending to Soto's short one-year tenure in New York. He's expected to command a competitive market for his services.

Soto slashed .288/.419/.988 in the regular season and .327/.469/1.102 in the playoffs for New York. His 166 hits and 41 homers were good for second on the team this season behind only captain Aaron Judge.

It is still entirely possible New York brings back Soto on a new contract but it will likely be competing with the likes of Los Angeles, Philadelphia and the New York Mets for his signature, per multiple reports.

2024 was Soto's second career World Series appearance having won the 2019 title with the Washington Nationals. Whichever squad adds him to its roster will immediately become contenders for the 2025 "Fall Classic."

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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