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There are plenty of questions about the free-agent clbad that will follow the 2018 season, but it could be the greatest free agency period in MLB history.
USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Harper, left, and Manny Machado are just two of the many young stars who could be free agents after the 2018 season.(Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images)

NEW YORK — Free agent season is here, and the Yankees have their in-house candidates to address – along with a wide cast of available players that will comprise the 2018-19 market.

By getting their payroll under the luxury tax threshold in 2018, the Yankees have reset the penalties badociated with exceeding the limit, which rises to $206 million in 2019.  

“We’ll plan to improve this club in any way shape or form we can,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said after the Yankees were eliminated in the AL Division Series by the eventual world champion Red Sox.

That begins with a full badysis of the free agent market, where the Yankees’ ability to spend freely for an impact bat and high-end pitching should require watching all winter.

Top internal candidates

Oct 5, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher J.A. Happ (34) throws the ball during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in game one of the ALDS at Fenway Park. (Photo: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

At his end-of-season address, Cashman expressed some hope in reuniting with lefty J.A. Happ, who impressed in 11 starts (after being acquired by Toronto via trade) before stumbling against Boston in the ALDS. But in this pitching market, Happ, 36, might require a three-year deal.

Zach Britton’s ability to get a closer’s job elsewhere will impact the Yanks’ ability to retain the lefty. David Robertson is representing himself and has expressed his desire to return, but he might also find work elsewhere as a closer.

Even if the Yanks fail to trigger outfielder Brett Gardner’s $12.5 million option by Wednesday, as anticipated, there’s a chance to find mutual ground on a new contract.

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CC Sabathia could return on a one-year deal, though more pressing decisions on starters might delay an agreement, opening the veteran lefty to a wider field.

And with shortstop Didi Gregorius recovering from Tommy John surgery, switch-hitting second baseman Neil Walker and versatile infielder Adeiny Hechavarria are in play.

Luxury items

 (Photo: The Associated Press)

That’s a clbad of two in Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, both 26, but whose $300-plus million price tags aren’t the only reasons to pause.

Machado’s poor World Series (4-for-22, no extra-base hits) ended a postseason where his failures to hustle and questionable on-field character – late slides, kicks at first basemen – were on national display.

But Cashman pursued Machado before the Orioles traded him to the Dodgers, and the major injury to Gregorius is a big hit to the Yanks’ lineup and infield defense.

As appealing as Machado’s overall game is, the Yanks could use Harper’s lefty bat to balance a right-handed heavy lineup that has now lost Gregorius.

Harper has averaged 32 homers, 93 RBI and a .952 OPS per year in his last four All-Star seasons and left field or first base could be landing spots in the Bronx.

Yet, as the leading offensive presence on a club with championship aspirations, Harper’s Washington teams failed to advance in four trips to the NLDS and missed the playoffs entirely in 2018.

Starter targets

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Photo: The Associated Press)

Patrick Corbin leads this list and the feeling seems to be mutual.

This past April, the lefty told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that “it would definitely be great to play’’ in the Bronx. “I grew up a Yankees fan (in upstate New York). My whole family are Yankees fans.’’

With his signature slider, Corbin, 29, increased his price with a 3.15 ERA in 200 innings this season for Arizona.

The markets for Nathan Eovaldi, fresh off an impressive postseason, and lefty Dallas Keuchel bear watching. And will Clayton Kershaw opt out of the two years, $65 million remaining on his Dodgers contract?

Boosting the bullpen

Andrew Miller hits the market again, with Cleveland closer and teammate Cody Allen. But the lefty Miller doesn’t have the bargaining power he did in the winter of 2014, when the Yanks signed him to a four-year deal.

A reunion with Robertson might be the Yanks’ only free agent play in this area, and the Red Sox could pursue Britton with Craig Kimbrel entering free agency.

Infield options

For his high-contact lefty bat and ability to play both second and first base, ex-Met Daniel Murphy offers the Yankees an intriguing option, over a field that includes Jed Lowrie, Asdrubal Cabrera and D.J. LeMahieu.

The Yanks ability to slide Gleyber Torres to shortstop provides latitude to seek second basemen.

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