SAN DIEGO -- The Yankees were not ready to ponder life without Aaron Judge, to the point where general manager Brian Cashman grew visibly uncomfortable discussing that possibility during this week’s Winter Meetings. Retaining the superstar right fielder was the organization’s top priority, yet only the first step of its offseason plan.

• Judge, Yankees agree to 9-year, $360M deal (source)

There is more work for Cashman and his baseball operations staff to do as they look to improve a roster that posted 99 regular-season victories and advanced to the American League Championship Series, where they were swept by the heavily favored Astros.

“We’re on the clock to continue to find ways to improve the club, both small and large,” Cashman said. “We’ll see where it takes us.”

As part of the club’s pitch to keep Judge, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner promised that the Yankees would be able to satisfy Judge’s contract -- reported to be nine years and $360 million, which would be the largest deal issued to a position player -- and still do more to close the gap with Houston, aiming to reach the World Series for the first time since 2009.

“There’s some opportunities that exist out there,” Cashman said. “Hopefully, we’ll find a way to secure a few of them for us that gives us a better shot.”

Biggest remaining needs

1. Left field
The "Judge’s Chambers" are safe and secure in Yankee Stadium’s right field, and after a breakout postseason, center fielder Harrison Bader is eager to play his first full season in pinstripes. Left field remains unsettled, with Andrew Benintendi now a free agent and the organization looking to move Aaron Hicks in a trade.

Cashman has been in contact with Benintendi, who hit .304/.373/.399 (120 OPS+) in 126 games for the Royals and Yankees last season. The Judge deal likely takes the Yanks out of the bidding for Brandon Nimmo. New York may have had interest in Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida, a left-handed standout who was posted by the Orix Buffaloes, but he agreed to a five-year deal with Boston on Wednesday night.

The Yanks would love to trade for the Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds, while Oswaldo Cabrera could also be considered an internal option. They also could look at Michael Conforto, who missed all of last season while rehabbing a shoulder injury.

2. Starting pitcher
The Yanks are known to have interest in left-hander Carlos Rodón, who is widely regarded as the top remaining free-agent starter. Lefties in Yankee Stadium are always a good idea, and Rodón is coming off an excellent 2022 campaign in which he was 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA in 31 starts for the Giants. They could also revisit trade talks for the Marlins’ Pablo López, who was discussed at the Trade Deadline last August.

On paper, the Yankees project to have a solid rotation, with Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino and Frankie Montas occupying the top four spots. Domingo Germán and Clarke Schmidt could compete for innings as well, but of their current group, only Cole and Cortes made more than 28 starts last season. That increases the importance upon adding someone like Rodón or López. Chris Bassitt and Nathan Eovaldi are also free agents.

3. Bullpen
While the Judge rumors were swirling, the Yankees made a move to bolster their relief corps, reportedly reuniting with right-hander Tommy Kahnle on a two-year, $11.5 million deal. Kahnle recovered from Tommy John surgery to post a 2.84 ERA in 13 appearances for the Dodgers this past season.

Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga, Wandy Peralta, Lou Trivino and Ron Marinaccio are among the hurlers who could set up for Clay Holmes; Cashman has said that he is comfortable entering the 2023 season with Holmes as the club’s closer. But there’s always room for more.

Deals done

• Signed OF Aaron Judge to a nine-year, $360 million contract (source)
• Signed RHP Tommy Kahnle to a two-year, $11.5 million contract (source)
• Signed GM Brian Cashman to a four-year contract

Rule 5 Draft

The Yankees made one selection in Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft, taking left-hander Pablo Mujica from the Royals. The 21-year-old Mujica pitched this past season in the Arizona Complex League, going 5-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 11 games (one start). In 31 2/3 innings, Mujica permitted 21 hits with 16 walks and 44 strikeouts.

In the Major League phase, the Yankees lost two pitchers: right-hander Wilking Rodriguez to the Cardinals and righty Zach Greene to the Mets. In the Triple-A phase, the Yanks lost seven players: righties Alfred Vega (Orioles), Yon Castro (Dodgers), Denny Larrondo (D-backs), Ryan Miller (Red Sox), Nelson Alvarez (Rays) and infielder/outfielder Oliver Dunn (Phillies).

GM's bottom line

As he spoke on Wednesday morning at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Cashman apologized for a rambling comment -- he had not yet slept, having spent the previous hours playing the role of air traffic controller between Steinbrenner, Judge and Judge’s agent Page Odle. But on the topic of the Yanks’ 2023 outlook, Cashman was crystal clear.

“I’m optimistic that we’re in a good place,” Cashman said, “because of the owner and his family, to continue to try to put this team in the best position possible as we enter next year and beyond.”