The top project is to replace Pedro Feliz at third base. Hot-stove followers have already become well-acquainted with the names of potential acquisitions; Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Placido Polanco are three players the Phils figure to monitor and possibly pursue. All are veterans who would not require a long-term commitment.

The Phillies are seeking an offensive upgrade over Feliz, one of the worst-hitting third baseman in the National League last season. They have long been interested in DeRosa, and have already employed Polanco, who played in Philadelphia from 2003 to 2005. Beltre is known as the strongest defender of the three - an important factor in replacing fielding wizard Feliz - but he is represented by agent Scott Boras, whose clients typically wait until late in the off-season to sign.

While the Phils will likely monitor Beltre, they will watch and pursue other veteran third basemen. But Chone Figgins, who has played his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels, is expected to seek more money, and more years, than the Phillies are willing to offer to fill that position.

The Phils, like all teams, will consider the type-A or type-B status of potential acquisitions. Free agents who are classified as type A, and decline salary arbitration, require their new clubs to sacrifice a top draft pick as compensation to the old club. Polanco is a type A, meaning that if the Detroit Tigers offer him salary arbitration and he declines, the team that signs him will lose a draft pick. DeRosa and Beltre are type-B free agents, so the teams that sign them will not lose a draft pick.

Amaro has made clear that he hopes to sign one or more free-agent relief pitchers to augment the late-inning bridge to closer Brad Lidge. Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero are expected to return, and a reliever like Brandon Lyon would give the team another setup man with experience closing games.

Scott Eyre was an important late-inning reliever last season, usually successful in retiring lefthanded batters in key situations. Eyre has said that he will either retire or return for one more season with the Phils, and the team is willing to consider retaining him - if his contract demands are modest.

The only other area of need is the bench. With Greg Dobbs and Ben Francisco the only returning reserves, the Phils are seeking a backup infielder to replace Eric Bruntlett, a lefthanded-hitting pinch-hitter to replace Matt Stairs, and a backup catcher to replace Paul Bako. In the first two cases, the team will seek defensive versatility; at catcher, they will also emphasize defensive skill over offensive production. In replacing Stairs, the team expects to have less power, but more athleticism, on its bench.

The following 2009 Phillies are free agents, free to sign with other teams today: Feliz; Stairs; Bako; Bruntlett; Eyre; infielder Miguel Cairo; righthander Pedro Martinez; righthander Brett Myers; righthander Chan Ho Park; lefthander Jack Taschner; and righthander Tyler Walker.

Myers, Bruntlett, and Taschner will not return. Cairo, Bako, Stairs, and Walker are welcome to attend spring training on minor-league contracts, but Amaro indicated Tuesday that they would more likely be showcasing their skills for other teams than auditioning for a role with the 2010 Phillies.

These Phils are eligible for salary arbitration this winter: righthanders Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, and Joe Blanton; outfielder Shane Victorino; and catcher Carlos Ruiz.

With the roster mostly stable and the payroll already high, the 2010 Phillies will not be dramatically different from this year's version. Today, the front office begins a slow and deliberate process to attend to various details.

Contact staff writer Andy Martino at 215-854-4874 or amartino@phillynews.com.