MLB rumors: What’s next for Yankees’ Brian Cashman after James Paxton trade? Bryce Harper? Manny Machado?

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman traded for Seattle Mariners left-hander James Paxton on Monday, November 19, 2018 (11/19/18). So will Cashman now turn his attention to the big sluggers on the free agent market, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper?

The wheeling and dealing has begun for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Sure, he had already re-signed outfielder Brett Gardner and left-hander CC Sabathia.

But the real moves began on Monday, when he acquired southpaw James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners.

Cashman had identified starting pitching as his top priority during the offseason.

With Paxton on the roster, does that mean Cashman will now turn his attention to the big bats on the free agency market, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper?

Not so fast, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi:

Source: #Yankees remain interested in free agents Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ, following the James Paxton deal. Yankees are placing a higher priority on adding one more starting pitcher than signing Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. @MLB @MLBNetwork

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Corbin and Happ are two of the best pitchers available in free agency. Happ came to the Yankees before the non-waiver trade deadline in 2018 and was their best pitcher down the stretch.

Corbin is a two-time All-Star for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

There are several aces available on the trade market, including the Indians’ Corey Kluber and the Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke. But after trading top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in the Paxton deal, Cashman might not have enough farm system depth to swing another deal.

Yes, Cashman has been linked time and again to Machado and Harper, the studs of the free agency class.

But he has maintained all along that he wants to upgrade the starting rotation for 2019, which means adding multiple arms to the roster.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.