NEW YORK -- Don't discard those preconceived notions of what the Yankees are capable of doing come winter. There may be a renewed emphasis on youth and building from within in the Bronx, but the Yankees are still prepared to spend.

"We're going to do what we do every year, and that's try to field a championship team," co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner said on Tuesday. "That's not going to change. We know that we've got some weaknesses, and we're going to fix the problems as best we can. If that means spending money, obviously that means spending money. The philosophy has not changed."

That means that when teams are officially allowed to begin swapping contract offers with free agents this Friday, the Yankees will be as aggressive as ever.

"Everything has a price," Steinbrenner said. "We understand free agency. We're going to go after what we need, and if what we can do and what we're willing to do is not enough, then it won't be enough. But we're going to pursue the market aggressively."

Speaking at a news conference announcing the Yankees' partnership with technology provider Cisco Systems, Steinbrenner reiterated the stance that his team, more than anything, will focus on pitching. Without naming names -- CC Sabathia remains the most popular and expensive option -- Steinbrenner indicated that the Yankees likely will be among the highest bidders for many of the game's top free-agent pitchers.

The team's payroll, the highest in baseball at $207 million last season, has shed significant weight since Jason Giambi ($23.4 million in 2008), Andy Pettitte ($16 million), Bobby Abreu ($16 million), Ivan Rodriguez ($12.4 million), Mike Mussina ($11 million) and Carl Pavano ($11 million) all filed for free agency. Despite the fact that the Yankees still might re-sign some of those players, they should have a bit more wiggle room in their negotiations with other free agents.

And the new Yankee Stadium, set to open in April 2009, should provide the team with an increased revenue stream.

"We're going to go after what we need, and if what we can do and what we're willing to do is not enough, then it won't be enough. But we're going to pursue the market aggressively."

-- Co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner

Though he typically defers to his brother, Hank Steinbrenner, on baseball decisions, Hal Steinbrenner has already met with general manager Brian Cashman, and he plans to have a meeting later this week with top team executives, including his brother and his father, principal owner George Steinbrenner.

"We're going to be ready for Friday," he said. "Decisions haven't completely been made yet, but we've got three days."

Steinbrenner also noted that both he and his brother are planning on rekindling their father's approach of personally reaching out to agents and players. And they won't be shy about opening their wallets, either.

"We know about where we need to be to field the kind of team that our city and our fans expect," Steinbrenner said. "And a team that can win."