Focus shifts to potential Nova deal

The Yankees’ trade priority was Aroldis Chapman. He was a free agent at the end of this season who did not want to negotiate an extension now and for whom the team felt it could get far more in a trade than it gave up .

With that deal completed and with the club playing better, the Yankees — according to outside executives — have focused most heavily on dealing Ivan Nova, whom they have indicated they will move whether they are in the race or not.

“Obviously, the better you pitch teams will become more interested but it is helping us get to a better spot so we want to keep it going,’’ manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.

It is not impossible the Yankees will be overwhelmed with an offer for Andrew Miller in the next few days. But outside executives are indicating the Yankees have put such a high price tag on him that it is more likely the lefty is retained and they next consider whether to move him in the offseason.

Nova, though, is a free agent after this season. The Yanks have no plans to put what is expected to be a qualifying offer of around $16.5 million on him. And in Chad Green, Luis Severino and Luis Cessa, the Yankees believe they have young starters who can approximate what Nova is doing now.

Nova is 7-5 with a 4.65 ERA this season, but 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA and a .221 batting average against in four July starts.

“This happens every year,” Nova said Wednesday. “It’s nothing new for me. I have pitched in a lot tougher situations than getting talked about in a trade. The surgery, was I losing my spot in the rotation, was I getting my spot back. It’s nothing new. All I know is that I have to concentrate on doing my job.’’

The Marlins, who are viewed as having among the majors’ worst farm systems, have expressed interest in Nova.