http://tinyurl.com/62jljg The Yankees know their needs -- starting pitching tops the list -- and are ready to start spending once free agency opens Friday, co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said yesterday. "We're going to do what we do every year," Steinbrenner said, "and that's try to field a championship team. 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." The Yankees' top target, a club official confirmed yesterday, is CC Sabathia. The Brewers' ace is expected to command perhaps the richest deal ever for a pitcher, topping Johan Santana's six-year, $137.5-million pact with the Mets. Steinbrenner and chief operating officer Lonn Trost said they don't know how the economic crisis will affect ticket sales, though Steinbrenner said it's impossible to avoid the crisis completely. Still, the Yankees' revenues are expected to soar at the new stadium; the increase simply may be less dramatic than anticipated. And the nation's economic troubles should not prohibit the Yankees from going after any players on their must-have list. "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, as we do every year." Steinbrenner would not give specifics of what the payroll is expected to be. The Yankees' $207-million total in 2008 was the highest in baseball, as their payroll usually is. They have numerous big-dollar contracts coming off the books, though, and even if they re-sign some of their own free agents ( Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, Andy Pettitte, Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano), there is plenty of money with which to play. The Yankees have a fairly clear idea of what direction they want to go this offseason. They will hammer out final plans for the start of free agency today and tomorrow, Steinbrenner said. General manager Brian Cashman is the point man, but Steinbrenner made clear that he is willing to personally recruit players as his father, George, used to do. "There's no doubt [older brother] Hank and I will be out there," Steinbrenner said. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe are of high interest on the pitching front, while first baseman Mark Teixeira and perhaps outfielder Manny Ramirez appeal offensively. "We're going to be ready for Friday," Steinbrenner said of the first day teams can talk contracts with other clubs' free agents. " ... Everything's on the table." The Yankees still are awaiting a final decision from Mussina, whom most expect to retire. Cashman has had several conversations about potential contract parameters with Pettitte's agent, a source said, but there is no agreement yet. Pettitte has been adamant that he wants to return to New York. The source said getting Mussina back would not necessarily cause the Yankees to cross Pettitte off their list. --

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