NEW YORK – Juan Soto had several opportunities to suggest that he wanted to return to Yankees in free agency this winter as he spoke to reporters in the clubhouse late Wednesday night after the Dodgers clinched their World Series victory in Game 5.

He didn’t raise his hand at all.

Not only did Soto insist he would be willing to sign with all 30 teams this winter, but he also dismissed the idea that the Yankees would have any advantage in keeping him after he spent this season in pinstripes.

“I feel like every team has the same opportunities when I go to free agency,” Soto said. “I don’t want to say that anyone has the advantage. Ultimately we’re going to look at what they have and how much they want me.

That’s not to say Soto is definitely done for this winter. The Yankees would give Soto the opportunity to contend for a championship every year, as they did this season. Winning is important to him. He had the best year of his career in front of Aaron Judge and has repeatedly said how much he loves wearing pinstripes.

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He said the Yankees didn’t have an advantage, but all those runs had to count for something, right?

Additionally, ownership has deep pockets, an ability to reach unprecedented numbers in contract negotiations. Whether that number will be enough — for a generational talent coming off an MVP-caliber season with heroic playoff performances — remains to be seen.

Even if Yankees fans don’t want to hear it, there’s a legitimate chance Soto leaves this winter. The image of him sitting on top of the dugout bench as his teammates came out of the dugout – wearing his helmet for an at-bat that never came while the Dodgers celebrated on the field – could be his last moment in pinstripes.

If this scenario comes true, then what will happen?

What will the Yankees do this winter to ensure they can get back to that point and compete for a ring without Soto?

The obvious consequence of Soto leaving in free agency would be that the Yankees would have money to use on other free agents, an ability to spread the love rather than spending a significant portion of their offseason budget on just one player.

Think about all the other holes on this team, the other positions that are open or aren’t locked in for next season’s Opening Day. The Yankees can use the money that would have been paid to Soto for a historic contract to sign a handful of impact players, improving the overall depth and quality of their roster.

It’s not like there aren’t any big names either.

The Yankees could go after right-hander Corbin Burnes, adding another ace to their rotation. Former Astro Alex Bregman could be an answer at third base in free agency if the Yankees choose to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second, making up for the seemingly inevitable departure of Gleyber Torres.

Then again, the Yankees could bring back Torres or any of their other free agents with that financial wiggle room. Alex Verdugo said he wanted to be back with the Yankees before and after their Game 5 loss Wednesday night. Anthony Rizzo would also love to stay in New York.

For now, file these plots into the “anything is possible” category. Torres finished his season on a high note, but it’s still hard to imagine him signing again. Verdugo is much lower on the backup plan chart if Soto doesn’t want to be in the Yankees outfield next year. Rizzo is close friends with Judge and a leader in the Yankees clubhouse, but moving to first base — he has a club option for 2025 — would be the wisest move.

Yankee hitters Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández will be free agents, possible replacements in a corner of the outfield who would add more noise to the middle of the order. And Christian Walker at the beginning? The list of bats is long.

Reliever Clay Holmes could be retained or the Yankees could replace him, adding a few more high-leverage arms to join Luke Weaver in the back end of next year’s bullpen.

Leaving Soto would also be an opportunity to return Aaron Judge to right field and reserve a starting spot for top prospect Jasson Domínguez, who was a non-factor in the postseason.

The Yankees hope they won’t need to consider those alternatives.

“I hope he’s here forever,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, “but I also know I’m excited for him and what the next few months are going to be like for him.”