BOSTON — The Derek Jeter Farewell Tour reaches its final destination this weekend when the New York Yankees conclude their season against the Red Sox in a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Since Major League Baseball implemented its wild-card system in 1995, there has never been a postseason without the Yankees or Red Sox. Previously, New York missed out only in 2008 and 2013.

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New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter acknowledges applause from fans at Yankee Stadium as he takes the field against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. The game was the last at Yankee Stadium for Jeter, who will retire after this season. The Associated Press

Now both teams are on the outside.

Maybe that’s some consolation for Red Sox fans – many of whom root for New York to lose almost as passionately as they cheer on the Sox.

And while the Red Sox suffered a mysterious collapse in 2014, using most of the same players who poured champagne last October, they didn’t spend wildly in the offseason in hopes of improvement.

Sometimes spending helps in the short term.

When the Yankees missed out in 2008, they doled out $422.5 million on contracts for three free agents: pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and first baseman Mark Teixeira, whom Boston also coveted. The result was a 2009 World Series championship.

Heading into 2014, New York spent $438 million on four players: pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, catcher Brian McCann, and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Plus there was the $52 million contract extension for outfielder Brett Gardner.

Improvement? New York finished 85-77 last year. Going into Thursday night’s game the Yankees were 81-77.

They ranked 10th in runs in the American League last year. They rank 13th this year.

Sure, the Red Sox were 69-89 heading into their Thursday night game and last in runs. But teams register success by postseason appearances and World Series titles.

So did it matter if Boston was in second place or last if it was going to miss the playoffs either way?

At least the Red Sox are lined up for a good draft pick next year (yeah, that’s really looking at the glass half-full).

For the money New York spent, they got an ace in Tanaka, but who missed 2½ months with a sore elbow.

They also got Ellsbury, who has put up decent numbers (a .747 OPS – down 34 points from last year).

But Beltran batted .233 (.703 OPS).

And McCann hit .235 (.700).

Add that to Teixeira’s .219/.724 and the heart of the order was barely beating.

Now the bad news for New York: Beltran, McCann and Teixeira are all coming back, each with at least two years left on their contracts.

Or as one New York Post headline put it, “Expect same albatrosses in middle of 2015 Yankees lineup.”

The Yankees are getting older and most of the elders are under long-term contracts.

Next April, Beltran will be 38 and Teixeira 35. Sabathia is 34. Ellsbury is only 31, but which way is his career going with six years and $132 million left on his contract?

Oh, and did we mention New York is getting its third baseman back next year? Alex Rodriguez will be done with his suspension, which saved the Yankees $25 million this year, and has three years and $61 million left on his contract. He turns 40 next July.

The Yankees’ payroll was $209 million this year, according to USA Today, down from $229 million last year, again thanks to A-Rod.

New York is already committed to paying $169 million to 10 players next year and $170 million for the same 10 in 2016.

The Yankees will save some when they say goodbye to Jeter ($12 million) and presumably to 39-year-old pitcher Hiroki Kuroda ($16 million). But they have to be replaced.

Fixing the Yankees is going to be a challenge.

Now, before the Red Sox snicker too much at New York’s dilemma, can we point out a few things?

Boston has committed $106 million to 10 players next year, including underachieving outfielders Shane Victorino ($13 million) and Allen Craig ($5.5 million). Victorino, who turns 34 in November, played only 30 games before back surgery ended his season. Craig, 30, acquired in the John Lackey trade, is batting .117.

There is the hope that David Ortiz ($16 million) does not show his age (39 in November).

Mike Napoli ($16 million) may be on the downslide. Napoli, who turns 33 next month, missed time with injuries. He recorded a .789 OPS (17 home runs) in 119 games. Last year he played 139 games (.842 OPS, 23 home runs).

And there is always concern about second baseman Dustin Pedroia, one of the two Boston players on a true long-term contract ($96.5 million over the next seven years). He will try to rebound from years of hand/wrist injuries.

Boston is gambling that newly signed Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo (seven years, $72.5 million) can replace Ellsbury at half the price.

Boston’s young players like Mookie Betts, Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts are promising, although its rookie pitchers are struggling in their showcase these past two months.

So Boston is not in for an easy fix.

But the Red Sox, who had a $154 million payroll this year, have some flexibility in the future. While Boston’s money is a little tied up for 2015, with room for at least one new pitcher, they are committed for only $33 million in 2016.

Needless to say, both teams need to be smart with their decisions and their money.

Because as the Yankees will tell you, a half-billion doesn’t buy what it used to.

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