The worst part begins for the Yankees… once again.

But it is just the beginning of what looks like a complicated and long off-season for the New York Yankees, after ending at the hands of the Houston Astros, their Major League championship aspirations, as has been the case for 13 consecutive seasons.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get there yet,” Boone said after the American League Championship Series elimination. “I know it’s going to continue to motivate everybody to try to get there. That’s what you work for. But the finish is terrible.”

Now the franchise’s focus, as has been recurring for more than a decade after an elimination, will have to do with how they put together and try to strengthen their team heading into next season to try to capture a title they haven’t won since 2009. Also in the conversation, as has been customary, will be manager Boone and general manager Bran Cashman.

Boone is under contract for two more seasons, but Cashman is finished this season, although there are several indications that he will be renewed.

But the spotlight will be on Aaron Judge, who at the end of the World Series between the Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies will most likely become the most expensive free agent in history, after he turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million extension before the start of the season in which he was proclaimed the new “Home Run King”.

“I say if he comes back next year, he’s our captain,” pitcher Nestor Cortes said. “He’s the next captain. We follow what he does. He’s not the guy who comes in and yells at all of us. He leads by example. I think he’s earned the right.”

The Yankees have a lot more to analyze and sign, if anything, this offseason. Including how they want to compete for the elusive championship. It’s been a while since they’ve been the biggest spending team in the majors; not even in their own city.

“We’re not close enough,” Boone said. “We got beat. We’ve got to keep working to get better.

Obviously, we had some key contributors that were missing that I think could have made a difference for us.”

“But again, everybody has to deal with that at some point,” he added. “So we have to find ways. It’s frustrating.”

The team needs depth beyond the superstars. It was more than evident this season. When the break came for the All-Star Game, the Yankees were winning at a record pace. But the second half, due to injuries, down play and even growth of opponents was another story altogether. And either way it was enough to win 99 games.

“I think we have a lot of the right ingredients here,” Boone said. “Every year is different and that has to do with guys on the field, guys that were missing, guys that were healthy. But you’re always trying to be better, more competitive in every scenario against potential opponents.”

Pitchers like Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Chad Green and Jameson Taillon; as well as summer newcomer Andrew Benintendi will become free agents. They need pitchers, relievers and starters.

Anthony Rizzo, one of their most productive players on offense and defense, is under contract for one more year, although he has the option to opt out and test the market.

Several other players, including Cortes, Jonathan Loaisiga, Gleyber Torres, Lou Trivino and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are arbitration eligible.

It’s time for the Yankees to pause and start thinking of other ways or strategies to reach the World Series and maybe even with other players, like the Astros, who will play their fourth Fall Classic in six years.

“We were beaten by a better team right now,” Boone acknowledged. “That’s the reality. They (Astros) are the brand in this league that we aspire to get to.”