EVEN BEFORE the Phillies' season ended with a 7-3 loss in Game 6 of the World Series, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and his front-office team had held preliminary discussions about some of the decisions they will have to make and strategies they will attempt to employ during the offseason.

Yesterday, after the team returned from New York City aboard an Amtrak train, that work began in earnest. The free-agent signing period begins on Nov. 20. Until then, the Phillies can negotiate with and re-sign their own free agents, as well as have nonspecific discussions with the agents of free agents across the major leagues.

Amaro is scheduled to meet the media today at Citizens Bank Park. Until then, here is a primer on yet another short offseason:

1 How much are the Phillies willing to spend?

Like most clubs, the Phillies are tight-lipped about their projected budget for player salaries. But by working backward, we can get a rough idea of how much money they will have to spend on free agents.

The Phillies' Opening Day payroll was a club-record $130,844,098 this season, including nearly $20 million that was guaranteed to former players Adam Eaton, Geoff Jenkins and Jim Thome. Thanks to a club-record attendance of 3,600,693 and eight home postseason games, a payroll increase is not out of the question.

But the Phillies already have a considerable chunk of money - roughly $94.5 million - locked up to 11 players who are under contract for next season. Once they exercise the $9 million option on ace lefthander Cliff Lee's contract, they will have $103.5 million dedicated to 12 players.

Righthander Joe Blanton and centerfielder Shane Victorino are both eligible for arbitration, and both could see significant raises. Previous arbitration cases suggest that Blanton, who earned $5.5 million last season, could see a raise to the $7 million range, while Victorino, who earned $3.15 million, could land anywhere between $5.5 million and $6.5 million. Catcher Carlos Ruiz, who earned $475,000 in 2009, should also see a healthy increase.

None of the team's five other arbitration-eligibles is a lock to return. The club could decide not to offer contracts to infielder Eric Bruntlett and relievers Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, Jack Taschner and Tyler Walker, which would make those players free agents.

Lefthander J.A. Happ ($405,000 in '09), whom pitching coach Rich Dubee said Wednesday is expected to be a part of the 2010 rotation, and outfielder Ben Francisco ($421,240) are both under club control and likely to return.

A very rough projection has the Phillies paying $119 million to 17 players, with eight roster spots to fill.

2 Would the Phillies be in the market for a third baseman?

This is the single most intriguing question facing the Phillies, the answer to which will likely come shortly. Veteran third baseman Pedro Feliz has a $5 million club option for 2010, along with a $500,000 buyout should the Phillies decline to exercise it. Feliz has established himself as one of the top defensive third basemen in the National League. But when the Phillies signed him in 2008, they anticipated more offensive production from a player who had hit at least 20 home runs in each of his previous four seasons. In two seasons in Philadelphia, Feliz has hit .259 with a .306 on-base percentage and 26 home runs. This postseason, he hit just .167 with a .196 on-base percentage and two home runs and four RBI.

With seven of eight regulars under contract for next season, the only option for upgrading the lineup is at third base. There are some interesting free-agent options, including the Angels' Chone Figgins, the Cardinals' Mark DeRosa and the Mariners' Adrian Beltre, all of whom can bat righthanded - Figgins is a switch-hitter - and have significantly outperformed Feliz at the plate over the past few seasons.

DeRosa is a particularly intriguing candidate, one whom the Phillies had interest in trading for last offseason. The University of Pennsylvania graduate can also play second base and the outfield. But he recently had wrist surgery and, like Figgins and Beltre, might be looking for a hefty multiyear contract.

Will the Phillies decline Feliz' option with the hope that the free-agent market unfolds in such a way that allows them to make a play for an offensive upgrade? Or will Feliz' defensive prowess and relatively cheap price tag convince them to keep him in the fold while looking to upgrade in other areas?

3 Can they upgrade the bench?

Reserve third baseman Greg Dobbs, who in 2008 was the team's top pinch-hitter but this year hit just .247 and battled a strained calf, is under contract for next year. But veteran slugger Matt Stairs is a free agent, as is backup catcher Paul Bako. The Phillies would like to add a powerful righthanded bat (their three righthanded bench players went 0-for-17 in the postseason) as well as a player who can take some pressure off Chase Utley at second base and Jimmy Rollins at shortstop.

But it will be hard to convince any prospective free agents that there will be opportunities for playing time, a problem Amaro encountered last season.

DeRosa and Toronto's Marco Scutaro are both talented utility men who would fit perfectly, but it is hard to envision either one signing to be a backup. Fernando Tatis, who hit .289 (.352 OBP) with 19 home runs for the Mets over the last two seasons in a part-time role, could provide an experienced bench bat who can occasionally spell Raul Ibanez in leftfield. The Yankees' Jerry Hairston Jr. and the Dodgers' Ronnie Belliard also could fit.

4 What about Brett Myers, Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre?

Myers and Park, both righthanders, will be free agents and both could return. Signing Myers could give the Phillies insurance in both the rotation and the back end of the bullpen, while Park was one of their top relievers this season. In the bullpen, righthanders Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson and lefthander J.C. Romero are both under contract for next season. After that, nothing is certain. Even if Eyre - who is contemplating retirement - returns, the Phillies would like to add another lefty. And they proved this season that you can never have too many quality arms in the bullpen.

5 What about the fifth spot in the rotation?

Veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer lost his spot in the rotation to Pedro Martinez in August and is recovering from surgery on his lower abdomen and groin, but is expected to be ready for spring training. He is due to make roughly $8 million, thanks to escalator clauses he fulfilled this season. Martinez, who pitched well in nine regular-season starts and two postseason starts before lasting just four innings against the Yankees in Game 6, will be a free agent. Lefthander Cole Hamels will have another short offseason to recover from a disappointing year. Are the Phillies confident he will return to the form he displayed in 2008, or will they explore a backup plan?

Stay tuned.

For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at http://go.philly.com/highcheese.