January is a prime opportunity to reset, and in the Yankees’ case, it’s an excellent time to take stock of what has been accomplished this offseason -- and how much ground there is left to cover.

The trade for Juan Soto on Dec. 7 shook up the Winter Meetings and delivered one of the game’s best offensive players to the Bronx, while the additions of Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham project to solidify the Bombers’ outfield defense.

When the Yanks’ attempt to sign starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto fell short, they pivoted to a two-year, $37 million agreement with right-hander Marcus Stroman, which was announced on Wednesday.

The agreement with Stroman appears to finalize the rotation, with the veteran joining Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt in the starting five. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has also said that he considers the club’s infield and outfield to be set.

So what’s left to do, considering the Yanks are looking to wash away the bad taste of a disappointing season in which they recorded just 82 victories and failed to qualify for the postseason?

The most likely avenue to upgrade the roster between now and Opening Day appears to be in the bullpen, especially considering the Yanks parted with seven pitchers in their trades for Soto and Verdugo (including Michael King, who was extremely valuable in the 'pen and could have opened the season in the rotation).

There have been a few smaller moves, like the signings of right-handers Cody Poteet and Luke Weaver and the trades for right-hander Cody Morris and left-hander Victor González, but there should still be money in the budget considering the difference between what they're paying Stroman and what they were willing to pay for Yamamoto or Blake Snell, who is still on the market.

The Yankees have maintained contact with the representative for left-hander Wandy Peralta, who has pitched to a 2.82 ERA over 165 appearances with the club over the past three seasons and is currently a free agent. They have engaged about a potential reunion with righty Keynan Middleton and are reported to have interest in right-hander Hector Neris, who notched a 1.71 ERA in 71 appearances for the Astros last year.

Another name connected to the Yankees via published reports is right-hander Robert Stephenson, who logged a 2.35 ERA in 42 appearances for the Rays last season after being acquired from the Pirates on June 2. The Yanks concluded the 2023 campaign with a Major League-best 3.34 ERA from the bullpen, a group that projects to be anchored again by Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga and Tommy Kahnle.

“We like the pitching we have, but we also recognize that if we can add to it, it’s important to do -- rotation, bullpen, combo, all of the above,” Cashman said recently. “[That’s] from an insurance standpoint or something established that you can plug and play with. We’re going to continue to have conversations in that arena … and those will continue.”

Here’s a warm thought on yet another chilly day in New York: Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa, Fla., in just 28 days, on Feb. 15.

The club’s first full-squad workout is set for Feb. 20 at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with the first Grapefruit League game to be played on Feb. 24 against the Tigers in Lakeland.

With Stroman joining the team, we were wondering: Who holds the Yankees' record for most games pitched among players born in the state of New York?

• Stroman expressed his excitement about joining the Yankees in a social media post this week.

“New York! I’m ready,” Stroman wrote. “Can’t wait to put on THE PINSTRIPES and feel the energy in Yankee Stadium. Honored to put on the uniform. Very very honored. Will compete to the highest degree for you all. The authentic confidence and swagger I play with is a direct result to growing up in New York culture. Truly can’t wait to feel the buzz and vibe of the crowd on start day. That’s the [stuff] we dream about as kids. I get chills thinking of these dreams turn to reality!”

• The Yankees agreed to terms with Dominican outfielder Francisco Vilorio, who was rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 15 international prospect in this year’s signing period. The 6-foot-3 Vilorio is projected as a potential five-tool talent and received a signing bonus of $1.7 million.

• Over/under 38 home runs for Soto this season? In Yankee Stadium and during a contract year -- that seems like an easy over to me. We discussed some of the new Steamer projections on SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York.”

• Cole will be among the honored guests at the 99th New York Baseball Writers’ Dinner to be held on Jan. 29. Shohei Ohtani, Snell, Ronald Acuña Jr., Miguel Cabrera, Terry Francona, Dusty Baker and many others will also be on the dais. There’s still time to secure tickets at nybbwaa.com.

• And finally, thanks to Joe Trezza and Bill Ladson for minding the store during paternity leave. Mrs. Hoch and I welcomed Josephine Ray on Jan. 2, and our newest little one quickly went viral -- this video of baby Josie “autographing” a baseball has already collected a staggering 17.4 million plays on Instagram.

B. Whitey Ford

Ford, who was born in Manhattan and moved to Astoria, Queens, in early childhood, pitched in 498 games over a Hall of Fame career that spanned from 1950-67.

On the Yankees’ leaderboard, Murphy (383), Hoyt (365) and Betances (358) clocked in behind Ford.

The mark for most games pitched by a player born in the state of New York, regardless of team, belongs to Brooklyn’s John Franco (1,119 games with the Reds, Mets and Astros).

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