Is Juan Soto part of Yankees' offseason plans? Here's what's on their agenda this winter

On the last day of the New York Yankees’ bitterly disappointing 2023 season, Aaron Boone was asked whether he cared to watch the postseason proceedings.

“I always say I’ll disappear,’’ said the manager, adding that he’d eventually be lured in.

Failing to qualify for MLB’s 12-team playoff tournament, despite operating the AL’s highest payroll, the Yankees had a four-week head start to their offseason planning.

That began with the promise of a thorough organizational assessment.

Now that a 14th straight Yankee-less World Series has been completed, the heavy work of crafting a 2024 championship contender begins.

Here are some general items on the Yankees’ immediate agenda:

What will be Yankees' 2024 payroll?

Hal Steinbrenner might not be crazy about taking his payroll to the record level of Mets owner Steve Cohen, but the Yankees probably must commit to spending their way out of this mess.

Just six Yankees players absorb $167 million in 2024 payroll, including the combined $59 million owed Giancarlo Stanton and Carlos Rodon next season.

Potentially, up to $70 million could be coming off the 2023 books due to free agents and non-tenders, but they’re still paying a combined $18 million to ex-Yankees Aaron Hicks and Josh Donaldson, while millions more in arbitration raises are due.

Juan Soto, trade news and free agency

That work might accelerate beginning Tuesday at the three-day General Managers Meetings at Scottsdale, Arizona, four weeks ahead of MLB’s Winter Meetings at Nashville, Tennessee.

What’s the general asking price on Juan Soto if the San Diego Padres are truly inclined to deal, and how much would the Yankees pay – in both prospects and dollars – for a superstar outfielder set to enter free agency after the 2024 season?

A pursuit of impact, lefty outfield bats must include a serious look at free agent Cody Bellinger.

How deep is the desire to bring Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the Bronx, in what’s shaping up as an aggressive market for the Japanese ace?

Due diligence requires an inquiry of Shohei Ohtani’s post-Tommy John surgery price, despite a designated hitter spot currently filled by Stanton.

Yankees' own free agents: Luis Severino, Wandy Peralta and more

None of the Yankees’ free agents is expected to be tendered a qualifying offer for 2024, anticipated to be around $20 million.

Starters Luis Severino and Frankie Montas, and utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa, seem likely to sign elsewhere as free agents, shaving $28.5 million from the 2023 payroll.

But free-agent relievers Wandy Peralta and Keynan Middleton have a better chance to remain. The Yankees also have a desperate need for lefty relief, whether they re-sign Peralta or not.

Decisions on Domingo German, Kyle Higashioka

The non-tender deadline is Nov. 17, a date when the Yankees could part ways with pitchers Domingo German and Lou Trivino and backup catcher Kyle Higashioka.

In combined salary, thos e players made just over $8 million last season.

Trivino missed the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, and the Yanks have other less expensive bullpen options.

Five weeks after pitching a perfect game, German voluntarily entered alcohol rehab following a disturbing clubhouse tirade. He previously served an 81-game MLB suspension for a 2019 incident of domestic violence.

The longest currently tenured Yankee, Higashioka is in a numbers crunch at catcher with Jose Trevino and rookie Austin Wells sharing time and Ben Rortvedt as a less expensive depth piece.

Other non-tender candidates include Albert Abreu, Jake Bauers, Franchy Cordero and Billy McKinney.

Can Yankees trade Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres?

Stanton is immovable, unless he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause and the Yankees are picking up a hefty portion of his remaining contract ($98 million through 2027), but it’s a thought.

As arbitration eligibles, infielder Gleyber Torres ($15 million) and closer Clay Holmes ($6 million) are due significant salary boosts, according to Baseball-Reference.com estimates.

They’re also trade chips, along with Oswald Peraza and Clarke Schmidt, though Torres’ worth to the Yanks coming off a good offensive season (and entering his free agent walk year) might be greater than the return.

There’s a vacancy for a big-league hitting coach, now that Sean Casey has decided he’s not ready for a full-year commitment, and bench coach Carlos Mendoza has the interest of teams with managerial openings, including the Mets.

Also, the Yankees are still evaluating areas that could see changes, such as analytics and injury prevention.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees offseason: Juan Soto, trades, rumors and free agency