The Phillies have declined to pick up the option on Pedro Feliz, making him a free agent.

Apparently, the Phillies want to either upgrade the vacuum they’ve been using at third base the last three years, or they are in line for a cheaper model.

The team declined to exercise its $5.5 million option on starting third basemen Pedro Feliz. While he may lack the offensive power you’d ideally like from the hot corner, Feliz was among the best in the business at picking balls out of the dirt. The team likely will not improve defensively with this move.

Adrain Beltre is most often mentioned as a possible replacement. Beltre is a couple of years younger than Feliz, but he has been injury prone in his career. The Phillies may also think they can get him at a cheaper price.

In any event, GM Ruben Amaro is showing that he wants to improve the two-time defending NL champions as they attempt to make a third straight trip to the World Series.

Feliz was always goo for saving a run a game on the defensive end. You just have to hope whomever the Phils bring in to replace him can make up for that run either at the plate or in the field.