Yankees vying for Cody Bellinger return with crowded market among priorities ahead of GM meetings

LAS VEGAS — Their offseason began a few weeks earlier than the Yankees would have liked.

But it will officially kick into gear this week at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, the annual event setting the stage for the moves to come later this winter, even though none will likely happen in the coming days.

For Yankees GM Brian Cashman, it is the start of taking another shot at constructing a roster that can bring home the franchise’s first championship since 2009, following the latest playoff run cut short.

“We’ll look to attack our areas of weakness to the best of our abilities with what’s available and hope our strengths remain our strengths,” Cashman said last month after the Yankees were knocked out in the ALDS by the Blue Jays.