TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Philadelphia Phillies plan to get the free-agent season started quickly by making offers to Jim Thome, Tom Glavine and David Bell on Tuesday.

''We'll be aggressive with our offers and see if we can get it done sooner rather than later,'' Phillies general manager Ed Wade said Monday. ''We're hopeful we can get this thing done. We'll see.''

The Phillies are expected to be the most aggressive team when the market opens Tuesday, the first day clubs can begin negotiating money with free agents.

Coming off a 14th losing season in 16 years, Philadelphia feels it's close to making a run at a pennant. They finished just two games behind Atlanta in the NL East in 2001, and hope adding Thome, Glavine and possibly a couple other free agents would make them a playoff team.

''They can all help us now,'' Wade said. ''Obviously, there's no minimizing the significance of what Jim Thome and Tom Glavine have done in their career. Of course, I'd love to see them slotted into the lineup and the rotation. David Bell would also be a tremendous upgrade for us.''

Wade will also meet with pitcher Jamie Moyer on Thursday and hopes to get his offseason shopping done early.

But in case the free agents don't work out, Wade plans to lay the groundwork for potential trades during his time at the GM meetings this week.

''Ideally, we'd like to get this done quickly because then we wouldn't need to explore other options,'' he said.

Thome has already received an offer to stay with the Cleveland Indians that is believed to be worth about $45 million over four years. Thome's decision will come down to whether he wants to finish his career in Cleveland or sign for more money with the Phillies.

Philadelphia will likely offer about $15 million a year for four or five seasons.

Indians GM Mark Shapiro hopes the Phillies' offer speeds up the process, but doesn't see much room for negotiating on Cleveland's side.

''We left some room for creativity and flexibility,'' Shapiro said. We can make some movement, but not with our guaranteed money.

''No good, initial offer is a drop-dead offer. I won't comment on any specifics of the deal, but it is not a take-it-or-leave it offer.''

Thome's agent, Pat Rooney, didn't return a call.

Thome, who hit a club-record 52 homers for the Cleveland Indians this season, is the most coveted hitter in this winter's free agent market. He would fill the void in Philadelphia created by the departure of third baseman Scott Rolen, traded to St. Louis in July.

Thome hit .304 with 118 RBI, 122 walks and had a .445 on-base percentage this season. He has hit at least 30 homers seven straight years and has driven in more than 100 runs in six of the last seven seasons.

But Thome clearly remains loyal to the Indians, where he has spent his entire career since he was a 13th-round pick in the 1989 draft.

The Phillies have already met with Glavine, a two-time Cy Young award winner who has spent his entire 16-year career in Atlanta.

He was 18-11 with a 2.96 ERA this season, has won 20 games or more five times, and is 242-143 overall. Glavine reportedly was upset with an offer from the Braves of $8 million for one season.

Glavine has also attracted interest from the New York Yankees, Mets and Texas.

''Tomorrow is the first day of offers,'' said Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton. ''It's just the beginning. It's very early in the process. Tom hasn't even visited any cities yet.''

Bell hit .261 with 20 homers and 71 RBI for the San Francisco Giants last year. He played with Seattle in 2000 when Phillies manager Larry Bowa was a coach with the Mariners.

Bell met with the Phillies on Sunday.