Between debating who would play third in 2010 (Polanco), to giving the bench a facelift, to working his tail off to find a way to another ace (you may have heard Roy Halladay's name a few times already, right?), Ruben Amaro Jr. hasn't had much of an "offseason."

While most baseball types enjoy a break in November and December, general managers have one issue after another to tackle between Halloween and New Year's Day. Amaro faced one of those issues Saturday, with a midnight deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players (the Phillies had five).

Amaro tendered contracts to reliever Chad Durbin, catcher Carlos Ruiz, starter Joe Blanton and outfielder Shane Victorino; barring any contract extension talks, all four are essentially signed to one-year deals for the 2010 season.

The Phillies did not, however, tender a contract to reliever Clay Condrey. Thus, the 34-year-old righthander has become a free agent.

Condrey went 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 2009, but was pestered with an oblique injury that sent him to the disabled list twice and limited him to 45 games.

Condrey went 16-8 with a 3.65 ERA in four seasons with the Phillies. In six major league seasons, he is 18-12 with a 4.10 ERA.

The Phillies still have the option to re-sign Condrey, but they may be looking to upgrade. Just as Condrey became a free agent at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, some other notable players hit the open market, too.

Among them, right-hander Mike McDougal. The 32-year-old MacDougal was non-tendered by Washington after excelling as the Nats' closer in 2009.

MacDougal converted 20 of 21 save chances. He was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

Another intriguing name: Matt Capps. Like the Nationals, the Pirates set their closer free at midnight.

Capps struggled some in 2009, but racked up 66 saves in the last three seasons as Pittsburgh's closer.

The Phillies have been in pursuit of late-inning relief help this winter, and both MacDougal and Capps could fit the bill.