Rollins leads Phillies list of free agents

For the first time in his career, the longest-tenured Phillies player has become a free agent.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and six other players became free agents on Sunday morning as part of a formality.

They can sign contracts with any team starting Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

Joining Rollins are Ross Gload, Raul Ibanez, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Roy Oswalt, and Brian Schneider.

Rollins told reporters earlier this month that he is seeking a five-year contact. He'll turn 33 in November and hit .268 last season, his best mark since 2008.

Madson, 31, posted 32 saves last season after claiming the closer role during the season.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters that the franchise didn't have an in-house candidate capable of replacing Madson, who is represented by super agent Scott Boras.

In the final year of his three-year contract, Ibanez hit a career low .245. The leftfielder will turn 40 in June. If the Phillies do not re-sign Ibanez, their best in-house candidates are John Mayberry Jr. and Domonic Brown.

After returning in late July from a shoulder injury, Lidge finished the season strong. He complied a 1.50 ERA in 25 appearances while logging 191/3 innings.

In the postseason, the former closer appeared in three games against the Cardinals while not allowing a run. He'll be 35 on opening day.

A component of the ballyhooed Four Aces, Oswalt had a disappointing, injury-plagued campaign. The 34-year-old finished the season at 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA.

In Game 4 of the National League division series, Oswalt was rocked by St. Louis. He pitched six innings, allowing five runs on six hits in a loss.

Both Schneider and Gload will be 35 on opening day and have spent the last two seasons with the Phillies as reserves. Schneider, a catcher, hit .176 last season while infielder Gload batted .257.

Winter update. According to Venezuelan news reports, the Phillies have petitioned Freddy Galvis' Venezuelan Winter League team to release the shortstop on Dec. 1.

In eight games, Galvis, a righthander, is hitting .217 with five walks and a pair of strikeouts. He missed a week of action due to a cyst in his right wrist.

In the Arizona Fall League, 23-year-old outfielder Tyson Gillies is hitting .205 with just one stolen base.

First baseman Cody Overbeck, 25, is hitting .286 in 42 at-bats. Lefty reliever Jake Diekman has yet to allow a run in six innings while striking out seven. All seven Phillies prospects in the AFL play for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Boston to interview Mackanin. According to several reports, the Boston Red Sox plan to interview current Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and former Phillies infielder Dale Sveum this week for their vacant managerial position.