Brian Cashman is a lock to return unless he can’t live with what the outside auditor recommends (not happening!), and word on Aaron Boone is that he’s likely back, but it’s up to Hal Steinbrenner (who likes him).

Higher-ups will likely just suggest to Boone to instill more discipline (i.e., be tougher).

The outside audit isn’t as all-encompassing as first believed (and unrelated to the Boone-Cashman status) and will mostly gauge their analytics and how the team uses them. (SNY’s Andy Martino, who’s writing a book on the Cashman years, first reported this.)

The Yankees passed on several big position-player free agents in recent years, but Cody Bellinger looks like a fit.

The incumbent Cubs will be in that hunt. So could the Giants.

San Fran honcho Farhan Zaidi had him his MVP year in L.A.