Hal Steinbrenner is taking a more active role in the daily business of the New York Yankees.

The Yankees have met with representatives for free agents Carlos Beltran, Shin-Soo Choo, Stephen Drew and Brian McCann. People involved in those talks described a more aggressive Steinbrenner.

The owner was more inquisitive and involved in the give and take, and more assertive in explaining the team's direction, according to the sources.