Another round of GM Meetings is in the books for Brian Cashman, and there were plenty of stories surrounding the Yankees that will continue to take shape before next month's Winter Meetings.

Here are the top storylines from the meetings in Carlsbad, CA...

Bryce Harper, Manny Machado still not prime pinstripe candidates

With agent Scott Boras commanding much of the attention this week representing both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, it was revealed that one of his superstar clients is willing to switch positions for his new club. But according to SNY's Andy Martino, Harper's willingness to move to first base isn't enough for the Yankees to pursue him for what is expected to result in a record contract. It did, however, catch the Yanks' attention "just a little bit," Martino said. Cashman, meanwhile, has said repeatedly that his focus is on bolstering the team's pitching.

SNY's John Harper writes that the idea of Harper manning first at Yankee Stadium makes a whole lot of sense. After all, the 26-year-old outfielder has a thing for Mickey Mantle and the Yankees.

However, the possibility of the Yankees signing Harper or Machado was put into further doubt when Cashman said Tuesday that it "would not be the preference" for the club to exceed the luxury tax threshold in 2019. Obviously that could change and the Yankees could re-enter the Harper/Machado sweepstakes at any point.

In the case of Machado, Martino lays out an alternate route the Bombers could take in landing the star shortstop -- and it runs through Philadelphia. But their interest in Machado remains "lukewarm."

Big names emerge in Yankees' pursuit of top starter

Cashman said he's interested in adding "more than one pitcher." Well, how about three? Jon Heyman of FanCred reported that the Yankees have trade interest in starters Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and James Paxton. Landing the full trio is unlikely, but with the Indians looking to shed payroll and the Mariners thinking about a rebuild, the price could be right for Cashman to add at least one top pitcher to the Yankee rotation. Diamondbacks All-Star Patrick Corbin is also in the discussion.

"I think I need to add multiples," Cashman said. "If I can do so, we'll see. ... I'm not going to say who and when but we will make sure we check every box in terms of what's available and the cost associated with what's available in both marketplaces, free agency and trades."

On the other hand, one starter the Yankees are looking to get rid of is Sonny Gray. Cashman said this week that he has received trade interest from teams despite Gray's terrible 2018 season.

Video: Brian Cashman taking time to replace Didi Gregorius

Yankees interested in bringing back Andrew Miller

The Yankees are one of many teams, including the Mets, that requested the medicals for reliever Andrew Miller, whom Martino expects will get a two-year deal. The lefty veteran had a down year in 2018 while dealing with injuries to his knee, hamstring and shoulder -- and he didn't look promising in his brief postseason, either.

But with a long offseason to rest for Miller, the Yankees could be intrigued enough by his previous tenure in pinstripes to bring him back to the Bronx. The 33-year-old, who had a 4.24 ERA this past season, recorded a 1.77 ERA in one-plus seasons with the Yankees before being dealt at the trade deadline in 2016.

Gary Sanchez undergoes shoulder surgery

The Yankees catcher underwent successful shoulder surgery on Thursday, a day after Cashman revealed Sanchez has been experiencing shoulder problems since 2017.

Cashman said Sanchez received cortisone shots in order to play through the injury, but the slugger aggravated it during training in Tampa this past week.

"We could've continued with the conservative treatment but we're going to go the other route and just stay ahead of it," Cashman said. "Down time is three months -- he'll be ready to go by Opening Day at the latest."

Video: Cashman: Gary Sanchez will undergo shoulder surgery

Yanks have talked with J.A. Happ's camp

The Yankees have free agent J.A. Happ on their radar after engaging in preliminary talks with his agent. There's a mutual interest in the starter's return after his mid-season trade to the Bronx, but Happ may elect to test the market.

The Yankees' chances at landing Kluber, Carrasco and Paxton would affect their interest in re-signing Happ. But even with CC Sabathia sticking around for one last season, Cashman may decide to lock up the 36-year-old Happ, who is still in excellent physical shape.

No interest in trade for Paul Goldschmidt

The Diamondbacks are rumored to be testing the trade market for All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, but the Yankees are reportedly not one of the teams interested.

Cashman told NJ.com this week that Luke Voit is the current starting first baseman for the Yankees over Greg Bird.

"Voit will have a chance to reclaim his spot, or reinforce that that's his spot," Cashman said. "And Bird will have a chance to try to take it from him. We'll see."

Potential Yanks target Yusei Kikuchi is coming to the majors

Japanese LHP Yusei Kikuchi was posted by the Seibu Lions this week, and like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the pitcher will be getting the Scott Boras treatment.

The Yankees joined the Giants, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers and Rangers in scouting Kikuchi in late September. The 27-year-old has less than 30 days to negotiate with all major-league teams before inevitably agreeing to an MLB deal.

Known for his "electric arm," the lefty has been compared to Patrick Corbin -- another potential target for the Yankees -- but he does have a history with injuries. He recorded a 3.08 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 153 strikeouts in 163.2 innings for Seibu this past season.

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