Five years ago, the Phillies made a blockbuster deal to highlight the Winter Meetings like they did with Kyle Schwarber Tuesday.

In 2019 on the first day of the meetings, the Phillies signed former Mets’ pitcher Zack Wheeler to a five-year $118 million deal.

At that time, Wheeler was coming off a modest 11-9, 3.96 season and had compiled a 44-38, 3.96 slate with New York over five years.

When it happened, there were some head turners. But Wheeler was viewed by many as a top of the rotation starter.

Schwarber’s five-year, $150 million deal was the highlight of this year’s meetings until Pete Alonso’s five-year, $155 million pact with the Baltimore Orioles shocked everyone Wednesday.

Over the years, the Phillies have made some significant moves during the meetings, and they likely aren’t done after this year’s meetings.

In this version of the Behind the Plate column, I’ll look back at some December transactions, some current states, and review the career of a former Lehighton baseball player.

Warm Winters ... From Johnny Callison to Roy Halladay, the Phillies have made some noteworthy December deals.

Callison, once referred to as the next “Mickey Mantle”, was acquired from the White Sox for Gene Freese, who had just had a season-best 23 homers. However, Callison finished second for the 1964 MVP award, was a three-time All-Star, and hit .271 with 185 homers in 10 Phillies’ seasons.

A major December trade occurred in December 1974 when the Phils acquired reliever Tug McGraw and outfielders Don Hahn and Dave Schneck for outfielder Del Unser, catcher John Stearns, and reliever Mac Scarce.

We all know what McGraw meant to the Phillies.

One of the biggest moves was the signing of Pete Rose in 1978, which was viewed as the game-changer for the team. Phillies fans were euphoric over Rose’s four-year, $3.2 million deal that was the highest at the time. It worked out for all sides as Rose ended up being a catalyst for their World Championships.

A move that slipped under the radar was in 2004 when the Phils selected Shane Victorino in the Rule 5 draft. It really wasn’t a Winter Meeting move, but it was one of the best December ones. The “Flying Hawaiian” was a key to the team’s 2008 championship.

Like Victorino, Halladay wasn’t a Winter Meeting move. He came from Toronto in 2009 for Kyle Drabek, Travis d’Arnaud, and Michael Taylor. Halladay was dominant during his Phillies tenure, and twirled a perfect game during the 2010 postseason.

In December 2010, the Phillies resigned Cliff Lee — after acquiring him from Cleveland — to a five-year, $120 million deal. Lee posted a 41-30 record before he retired after the 2014 season.

And let’s not forget Trea Turner’s 11-year, 330 million pact agreed to in 2022.

Shopping List ... Here’s a list of some notable Phillies’ December dealings:

1965- Traded Jack Baldschun for Jackie Brandt and Darold Knowles.

1976 -Signed Richie Hebner.

1982 - The five-for-one trade for Von Hayes, sending prospects, Manny Trillo and Julio Franco to Cleveland.

1982- Signed Tony Perez.

1987- Signed Bob Dernier.

1992- Signed free agents Pete Incanviglia and Milt Thompson.

1998- Signed international free agent Carlos Ruiz.

2002 - Signed Jim Thome to a six-year, $85 million deal.

2008- Signed free agent Raul Ibanez.

2018 - Signed free agent Andrew McCutcheon.

Mike Schmidt signed a one-year contract after the 1988 season for what would be his final season in 1989.

The Gang’s All Here ... With Schwarber back, it’s apparent that the Phillies will run it back with him, Bryce Harper and Turner. In addition, manager Rob Thomson received a one-year extension that will carry him through 2027.

One pressing issue could be a right-handed bat behind Schwarber in the order. There’s also the free-agent status of catcher J.T. Realmuto, though the Phillies reportedly have an offer on the table.

Schwarber moved out of the leadoff spot, and Turner proved to be a good fit. IronPigs’ star Justin Crawford likely will be in the leadoff spot this season.

A solution to the dilemma could be free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, or a trade for Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte, who is being shopped. Both would be an upgrade over Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm, respectively. There is speculation that Bohm will be traded because he’s set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. It would be a major surprise if Nick Castellanos is back. His trade market has been weak, and the Phils may release him. Speaking of trades and outfielders, there are some reports that the Phillies have some interest in bringing back former No. 1 pick Mickey Moniak.

With the return of Schwarber, Harper and Turner, and the presumed emergence of Crawford, the Phillies will be shuffling among the remaining positions.

Mets’ Mess ... If you’re a Mets’ fan, it’s been a rough few days.

Yes, it looks bleak with the loss of Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz.

Alonso, who reportedly never received an offer from the Mets, is a huge bat to replace. Since his rookie year in 2019, Alonso has the third most homers with 264, behind only Aaron Judge (285) and Schwarber (268). He had 38 homers, to go along with a league-high 41 doubles last year.

His departure opens the door for Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker, both of whom — especially Bellinger — will be heavily pursued by the Yankees. An early solution for Alonso could be a platoon of Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos.

Diaz had a banner season last year, and apparently didn’t want to come back to Queens, as he was offered comparable money to his three-year, $69 million deal.

However, Diaz should not be mentioned in the same breath as the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera. He had two stellar seasons out of his six with the Mets. Remember, Diaz stupidly injured himself for the 2023 season at the World Baseball Classic.

Devin Williams found himself again late last year with the Yankees, and should be effective with his famed “airbender” changeup.

Look for the Mets to bring back Tyler Rogers, and ex-Phillie David Robertson. Free agent Pete Faibanks could be in the bullpen mix.

You Were Right ... In a recent Times News Facebook poll, the question was posed “What is the Phillies’ biggest priority at the Major League Baseball’s winter meetings?”

Your choices were to sign Schwarber, sign Alonso, get a bullpen arm, trade Castellanos, or sign Realmuto.

Well, it appears you readers got it right.

Signing Schwarber drew 73 percent of the vote, and signing Realmuto tallied 21 percent, trading Castellanos and getting a bullpen arm both gained three percent, and no one wanted Alonso.

Readers Write

Still Work to Do

Dear Jeff,

By signing Kyle Schwarber, I think the Phillies have limited what else they can bring in. I would not have signed Schwarber. He better cut down on his strikeouts. He can’t play the field, and he can’t run.

They need to figure out the catcher issue, and get a guy who hits for average and not just power. If they let Ranger (Suarez) walk, they need another good pitcher. (Aaron) Nola is the same, and who knows what will happen with (Zack) Wheeler.

The bottom line is they need consistent hitters!

Melissa Hager

Lehighton

Check the Range

Dear Jeff,

The Phillies should resign Ranger Suarez.

Joe Schlager

Walnutport

Jeff’s In and Don’s Out ... Jeff Kent, one of the game’s most prolific hitting second baseman, recently was selected by the Contemporary Committee and received 14 of 16 possible votes.

Don Mattingly surprisingly only received six votes out of the 12 needed, as did former Phil Dale Murphy. Both Mattingly and Murphy certainly have the credentials and the respect of the baseball community, easily making them naturals to be elected. Both can again be eligible in 2028. Barry Bonds only received five votes.

However, Mattingly still remains the leading candidate to be the Phillies’ bench coach, as former bench coach Mike Calitri was named field coordinator.

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will turn back the pages to review the career of a former standout from the area.

Corey Schaeffer graduated from Lehighton in 1991, and earned 10 varsity letters, He excelled in baseball, golf, and basketball.

On the diamond, Schaeffer was a three-time, First Team Centennial League Second Baseman, and was also selected to play in the Interscholastic High School All Star Baseball Tourney between the Centennial Leaguers and the East Penn all stars.

He finished his career with a .349 batting average, 58 hits, 17 stolen bases and 35 RBIs. On the field, he had a lofty .951 fielding percentage, and a pitching record of 3-2, with a 3.00 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 51.6 innings.

From there, Schaeffer continued his career at Monmouth College, where he played center field from 1991-93, finishing his career with a .323 batting average.

In addition, Schaeffer played second base and pitched for the Lehighton American Legion Team, and also played second base and center field for the Limeport Bulls in the former Tri-County Baseball League. He also played second base and shortstop for the Lehighton Diamondbacks, which won a championship, in the Lehigh Valley Senior Baseball League.

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com