UPDATE (2:23 p.m.): The deal is done:

Brandon Drury is thought to be in expected Happ trade to Yanks. Billy McKinney's name was being mentioned, but not confirmed yet. expected to be 2 for 1. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

Brandon Drury is thought to be in expected Happ trade to Yanks. Billy McKinney's name was being mentioned, but not confirmed yet. expected to be 2 for 1. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

Source: Yankees sending Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney to Jays in the trade for J.A. Happ. Congressman @JonHeyman was first to report them as potential return. — Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 26, 2018

UPDATE (2:00 p.m.): Yankees are getting close:

Hearing #Yankees are getting closer on JA Happ. Not done yet but getting closer. #Bluejays — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018

I hear that if the deal gets done -- and it is not in physicals yet from what I understand, so still some distance to cross -- Brandon Drury would be key piece going to #Bluejays from #Yankees for Happ. But not done yet. — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018

happ deal being finalized to yanks is likely to be 2 for happ. brandon drury may be in. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

The teams involved in the J.A. Happ trade talks now getting the feeling that the #Yankees have pulled away from pack as front runners. — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 26, 2018

Another source just told me that the Yankees and Blue Jays are “close“ to finishing a Happ deal. — Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 26, 2018

Source says Happ to Yankees not quite done but will get done — Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 26, 2018

UPDATE (12:07 p.m.): Sounds like the Happ trade is coming soon:

Blue Jays are making clear their intention is to trade Happ before his scheduled Saturday start. Yanks believed to be in good position but jays have other teams (and yankees are talking to other teams about other pitchers as well) — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

Yanks have talked to twins about Ervin Santana and others (#MNTwins also have Lynn, Gibson , Odorizzi) — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

UPDATE (9:11 a.m.): The Yankees are holding firm on Happ and considering all options:

Yanks and Jays still seem to have work to do on Happ. Yanks have said no on Sheffield and also on Frazier. Jays have shown some interest in Drury. Brewers, others could still be in play. Yanks also talking to other teams (though doubtful mets would trade wheeler to NYY) — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

Yankees are said to be talking to three or four teams about pitchers (tho Happ offers advantage of AL East pedigree). Cole Hamels is only a deep fallback for yanks (tho rangers are said to have other interest in him) — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is all-in for the 2018 season.

On Tuesday, he acquired reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles, adding a plus-arm to what could be the best bullpen in baseball.

However that didn't address the Yankees' biggest need: starting pitching.

Despite trading three prospects for Britton, Cashman remains engaged on finding an arm for the rotation.

At this point, the New York Post's Joel Sherman reports Cashman is locking in on Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ:

Toronto was continuing to negotiate with multiple teams Wednesday night with the industry belief that the Yankees and Brewers were the front-runners. The Cubs were said to have checked in on fellow Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman and also might be in play for Happ.

That would seem to back up what MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Wednesday night:

Yankees still appear to be the leader in the race for J.A. Happ, but other teams remain engaged with Blue Jays. Brewers & Cubs still in play, though 1-2 more may also be in the mix. Toronto may not get its initial high asking price, but the heavy competition should benefit Jays.

At one point, Happ was atop Cashman's wish list. And why not? The southpaw was on the American League pitching staff for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. But Happ has lost three of his last four starts to fall to 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 20 starts this season.

According to Spotrac, Happ is making $13 million this season, after which the 35-year-old will become a free agent.

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