NEW YORK – In winters past, when the New York Yankees had motive and money to spend, it was a near certainty that some big free-agent targets were coming their way.

The 2008 haul of CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett, and the 2013 plays for Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Masahiro Tanaka immediately come to mind.

Yet, with the Yankees finally under the luxury tax threshold (resetting any penalties above the 2019 $206 million limit) and the Boston Red Sox as reigning world champions, other clubs have been prominently mentioned as landing spots for superstars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado – having each arrived at free agency at age 26.

On Sunday, former Mets general manager and current MLB Network Radio host Steve Phillips took to Twitter, quoting a source, with word that the Yankees “will not be in on Harper.’’

Phillips went on to say that it “seems Machado and pitching additions are Plan A’’ for the Yankees.

MLB Network insider and Fancred.com columnist Jon Heyman added via Twitter that the Yankees “will look into Machado’’ and act depending on the price, which would still seem to be in the $300 million-or-more range.

Passing on Harper and laying back on Machado might just be the way it goes in a free-agent season where upgrading the Yankees’ starting rotation is a priority.

It’s not Harper and Machado, but two free-agent lefties – Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ – who’ve been most associated with the Yankees’ interest.

Before the Yanks’ 2016 midseason trade spree led to the surprising 2017 pennant run, it seemed a pretty safe bet that either Harper or Machado (or both) would see his childhood wish come true in pinstripes.

Now?

The presence of an under-control star right fielder in Aaron Judge, and a $30 million (average per year) corner outfielder/DH in Giancarlo Stanton has altered the argument for Harper in the Bronx.

Didi Gregorius’ surprising Tommy John surgery creates a vacancy at shortstop for Machado, who could eventually (and preferably) slide over to third base.

But even if the baseball ops side pushes hard for Machado, this is Hal Steinbrenner’s call. And Machado’s postseason examples of non-hustle and questionable sportsmanship should give the Yankees’ managing general partner much more to consider.

And maybe while we’re all still guessing at what the Yankees might do, the Giants or Cubs might sign Harper, and the Phillies or Mets might sign Machado.

At least, for Steinbrenner’s sake, they’d both remain in the National League.

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