Why Yankees must give up more than money if they want Bryce Harper, Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel

Here’s what it would cost the Yankees — and other MLB teams — in terms of compensation if they want to sign star free agents who declined the $17.9-million qualifying offer.

The time free agents had to sign qualifying offers has passed.

And now the Yankees — and everyone else — can be sure what it would cost to sign one of them, aside from owner Hal Steinbrenner dropping hefty direct deposits into their bank accounts.

Here’s what a few potential Yankees targets would cost in terms of compensation if they turned down qualifying offers, which were worth $17.9 million this year, via Sports Illustrated:

* Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals: Pick after Round 4

* Dallas Keuchel, LHP, Houston Astros: Pick after Competitive Balance Round B

* Patrick Corbin, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: If signed for at least $50 million, pick between 1st round and Competitive Balance Round A. If signed for less than $50 million, pick after Competitive Balance Round B.

* A.J. Pollock, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: If signed for at least $50 million, pick between 1st round and Competitive Balance Round A. If signed for less than $50 million, pick after Competitive Balance Round B.

* Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Red Sox: Pick after Round 4

Only Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu accepted the offer this year.

Here’s what Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said about his approach to this year’s free agent and trade market while at the 2018 MLB GM Meetings last week:

“I just think we’re trying to make smart, efficient decisions in our player acquisition,” Cashman said, “whether it’s through the draft or the international amateur side, trade acquisitions, free agent signs or waiver claims. I just feel like we try to make sound, smart decisions and we take very careful steps.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.