The Phillies are hoping to upgrade their bench a bit before spring training opens Feb. 16. They are close to an agreement with free-agent infielder Alex S. Gonzalez, a baseball source said yesterday afternoon. Terms of the contract were not available. Gonzalez - not to be confused with the Alex Gonzalez who just signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox - hit .269 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs in 109 games with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last season. He is a .244 career hitter who spent his early years with the Toronto Blue Jays.