The New York Yankees are bound and determined to bolster their starting pitching staff in 2019, and it appears that money is no object. It seems that the hot stove meetings in New York are already warming up, well before the usual annual wheeling and dealing begin.

Yankees reach out to Mariners about Paxton

The Bombers know they have one of the best lineups in the American League, but that doesn't mean a thing if they can’t fix the starting pitching staff. According to CBS Sports, New York has already reached out to several teams about starting pitching, including the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians.

The Mariners have reportedly made James Paxton available in trade.

MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted out on Friday afternoon that the Yankees brass has officially reached out to the Cleveland Indians at the recent GM meetings in regard to possible offers for Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. This follows news that the Indians are open to trading Kluber.

Heyman also added that New York has engaged in conversations with the Seattle Mariners regarding lefty James Paxton. Adding any one of these three to a staff that already consists of Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka should make the Yankees a World Series favorite, once again, in 2019.

With the constant reporting coming out about Kluber, Carrasco, and Paxton, don’t be surprised if a deal takes place soon.

Happ, Corbin also in the mix

While obtaining James Paxton, Corey Kluber, or Carlos Carrasco would most likely cost the Yankees some serious high talent prospects, JA Happ and Patrick Corbin would not. Happ, who was traded to New York last July from the Toronto Blue Jays, had great success in the Bronx, however, he is now a free agent.

While the Yankees would love to re-up with the hard-throwing left-hander, there are also rumors that Patrick Corbin is on their radar.

Corbin has been a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks his entire six-year career and will be highly sought after this offseason. One thing Corbin can do is eat up innings, and that is something the Yankees need out of their starters.

Two seasons ago, Corbin pitched 189 2/3 innings. He followed that up in 2018, by hitting the 200-inning mark for the first time since 2013.

As of November 9, the only other starter on New York's roster, outside of Tanaka and Severino, who fans know will be there on opening day 2019, is CC Sabathia. Sabathia recently inked a one-year deal to return to the Yankees next season. Heavy rumors are swirling that Sonny Gray will be dealt away this offseason. One has to believe that if New York strikes gold this offseason by signing Corbin or Happ in free agency, or striking a blockbuster deal for Kluber or Paxton, Sonny Gray is out in New York.