NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Having already accomplished their No. 1 goal of the offseason, the New York Mets are hoping to come home from the winter meetings with a new third baseman.

The Mets let Edgardo Alfonzo go last week when they didn't offer him salary arbitration. General manager Steve Phillips arrived at the winter meetings Friday and has already met with a handful of agents and teams about possible moves.

"It's early still,'' Phillips said. "It's been a slow-developing market at this point in the offseason. There are still teams sorting out what they want to do.''

The Mets have already made one major move, signing left-hander Tom Glavine to a $35 million, three-year contract to be the ace of their pitching staff.

But coming off a 75-86 last-place finish, the Mets still have plenty more they'd like to do this offseason.

"Third base is probably the one area we're focusing on most,'' Phillips said. "We'd also like to add a left-handed reliever and could do something in the outfield. We'll see what's out there on the trade and free-agent front.''

Replacing Alfonzo is important for a team that finished 13th in the NL in runs scored last season. Alfonzo led the team with a .308 average and had 16 homers and 56 RBI.

Phillips talked again with the agent for Japanese third baseman Norihiro Nakamura, who hit .294 with 42 homers and 115 RBI last season for Kintetsu of the Pacific League. Nakamura is deciding whether to stay in Japan or come to the United States.

The Mets also are interested in Bill Mueller and Todd Zeile. Shortstop Jose Hernandez also could be an option at third base or at shortstop if New York is able to unload Rey Ordonez.

The Expos are looking to trade Fernando Tatis and could package him with one of their more coveted pitchers to make a deal.

"There are more options on the free-agent market than the trade market,'' Phillips said.

Despite signing Glavine, Phillips said the Mets do not necessarily need to cut payroll before making another addition. But he is limited in how much he can expand last year's payroll of more than $94 million.

Phillips said the Mets might wait before making any additional moves.

"We'll let the market dictate the pace,'' Phillips said. "If we get something done here great. If not, that's fine, too.''

The Mets are also talking to the agents for left-handed reliever Mike Stanton, who was let go by the Yankees last week.

The Mets are thin in lefty relievers after not offering arbitration to Mark Guthrie. They have only John Franco, who missed all of last season with an injured elbow, and untested Jaime Cerda.