Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies for winning the 2008 World Series. While the Atlanta Journal-Constitution lost interest, the television ratings and the bizarre, three-day game five it wsa a pretty solid series, with three games settled by one run.

Now that the Phillies have their second all-time series (the first was in 1980, in case you missed it on the broadcasts) championship it’s not totally inappropriate to look ahead to next season. Brushbackpitch already looked at the New York Yankees plans to once again dive head first into the free agent market as they christen their new stadium.

But I’m surprised at just how many big name players appear to be on the market already – not only in terms of free agents, but in guys under contract that smaller-market teams have put on the block.

Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs, and even the Kansas City Royals have been named as potential landing spots for Jake Peavy, the San Diego Padres ace, who has given the team a list of teams he would agree to play for. The Padres definitely need an influx of offense, and trading Peavy could land that as well as a pitching replacement.

The Milwaukee Brewers, weeks off their first playoff appearance since 1982, likely stand to lose Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia to free agency and now the word is that Prince Fielder could be on the block as well. Among other reasons cited by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fielder’s salary could go from $670,000 up to $6 million to $8 million – and he could instead be used to garner a replacement arm.

Finally, last year’s National League upstart Colorado Rockies are exploring trade options for stud outfielder Matt Holliday. The team allegedly thinks it can’t sign him long term and will sometime soon decide whether to move him now or during the season, or keep him and take the draft picks they would garner when they lose him to free agency.

Keep your eyes on sites like mlbtraderumors.com for the next several months. It could be a fascinating off-season.