Baseball’s annual off-season “Hot Stove” is underway, and there are several anticipated moves among the Phillies, Yankees and Mets

The first major move will soon pop, but there might not be a lot of action until the Winter meetings that begin Dec. 7.

One factor is certain: It will be a busy offseason for all three teams.

In this version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll take a look at some possible scenarios for all three teams, turn back the clock to some 1975 moves you may have forgotten, and review the former career of a Panther Valley standout.

Philling For the Meal ... Most of the early Phillies offseason chatter has involved the possible trade of Bryce Harper, the likely trade of Nick Castellanos, and the assumed loss of Ranger Suarez in free agency. Harper likely will stay, while Castellanos ($20 million deal) and Suarez likely will move on.

There’s also 35-year-old catcher J.T. Realmuto, who appeared to have a lot left in the tank, but probably won’t get more than a two-year deal from the Phils or any other team.

In the bullpen, the Phils might part ways with either lefties Matt Strahm, Jose Alvarado or Tanner Banks to find some right-handed reliever help. Joe Ross and Jordan Romano were both busts last season, and Ross was gone in August.

Kyle Schwarber filed for free agency, and likely will test a viable market. The Mets, Reds, Pirates and Red Sox have been the other teams that supposedly will make a run at him. Schwarber, who wants to stay in Philly, should get a deal in the range of three years and $75 million. His recent demand for a five-year deal might be a sticking point.

Harrison Bader was the late-season boost and center field solution the Phils needed last year, and will also test the market. Look for Bader to resign with the Phils, but the Mets will make a run.

Finally, is Kyle Tucker in the Phils’ plans? That’s a longshot unless Schwarber bolts. Tucker is looking for a 10-year deal, and Toronto appears to be at the top of the list. The Phillies did have interest in Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, but he was shipped to the Orioles.

A quiet blip on the radar screen is Japanese import first and third baseman Muretaka Murakami, who hit 265 homers over the last eight seasons and is drawing much interest. However, most scouts believe Murakami will have trouble consistently hitting fastballs here. Where do most Japanese players end up? Yes, it’s the Dodgers.

Mets’ Double-Play ... There’s two players every Mets fan wants them to sign — Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz. According to a source, both players currently loom as longshots.

A close Mets source stated the club won’t offer more than three years — possibly two and an option for Alonso, while the first baseman is looking for five to seven years. Alonso is a hot commodity among the Red Sox, Angels, Astros, Rays and Reds. The Angels reportedly will offer an open checkbook.

Diaz stated that he sees it as a “50-50” shot to be back in Queens. He can’t command a long-term deal, but he can get a lucrative one. Diaz is considered one of the game’s elite closers. What is the latest rumor about Diaz? Guess? Yes, the Dodgers who do need a closer.

The Mets will be in the hunt for starting pitching and they will try to piece together a multi-player deal for Tarik Skubal. Michael King, Dylan Cease, Sandy Alcantara, Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta will be high on the list.

Former Yankees reliever Devin Williams could be in the Mets bullpen in 2026.

Toronto infielder Bo Bichette would solve the Mets’ constant issues at second and third base.

Signing Cody Bellinger away from the predicted Yankees would be a real coup.

Kwan Song ... Note to the Yankees: Get Cleveland outfielder and leadoff hitter Steven Kwan.

Kwan would solve the Yankees leadoff issues, and also provide some speed at the top of the lineup. Since last year, I have been on the Kwan bandwagon. He also could fit for the Phillies.

The Yankees may have made a mistake by giving a qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, who took the deal. They have to decide what to do with Jasson Dominguez and the upcoming Spencer Jones.

Bringing Bellinger back would really solidify their lineup. Bichette can also be seen as a steadier replacement for Jazz Chisholm Jr.

There’s still plenty of chatter about the Yanks trading for Paul Skenes. Garrit Cole is coming back, and they will make a run at King.

It Was Alive In ‘75 ... Fifty years ago, baseball had one of its more significant winter meetings that changed the landscape for a few teams.

The Yankees thrust themselves back into contention when they traded outfielder Bobby Bonds to the Angels for center fielder Mickey Rivers and pitcher Ed Figueroa. Rivers gave them a legitimate leadoff hitter, while Figueroa gave them a solid starter for five years.

New York also dealt pitcher George “Doc” Medich to the Pirates for Willie Randolph, Ken Brett and Dock Ellis. Randolph became a staple, while Brett and Ellis played their parts.

The White Sox were extremely active, acquiring 22 players. Their most prominent deal was sending Jim Kaat and Mike Buskey to the Phillies for Alan Bannister, Dick Ruthven and Roy Thomas.

Other recognizable vets they got were Atlanta outfielder Ralph Garr and infielder Larvell Blanks in a trade involving Ruthven, Cincinnati reliever Clay Carroll, and Angels’ first baseman Jim Spencer. The ChiSox sent former Phillies first baseman Deron Johnson to Boston.

Readers Write

A Dodgers’ Pipeline

Dear Jeff,

When Dave Roberts called me at the start of the World Series, I told him to use the starters as much as possible and play Miguel Rojas. Thank God, he finally listened to me.

Paul Dallara

Hawley, PA

Editor’s note: Keep the faith, Paul!

One Woman’s Solution

Dear Jeff,

Here are my thoughts on the Phillies needs for off season:

They need a big bat if Schwarber walks. Pete Alonso is an enticing candidate to replace Schwarber. He can actually play the field and is younger. This would allow Harper to move back to the outfield.

Try to sign Harrison Bader (even though he turned down the option). He’s got what it takes to play in Philly ... gritty and plays hard. Plays a good outfield and can hit.

Bring up Crawford, move Bader to right. Cut Casty since there is no trade interest. Keep Marsh in left.

Sign Ranger … there is no guarantee that Wheeler will come back as strong. Nola seems to have lost it over the last year. Unless he gets back to his form, you need Ranger.

Sign J.T., but not for more than 1-2 years. You have no back up. His hitting production is down but he is still a great defensive catcher and the Phillies have no other great option in their system.

Trade Rojas because he has not developed the way the Phillies hoped.

Tidy up the bullpen with a long reliever. They need a big bat to hit behind Harper and Bohm has not proven to be that guy. If Schwarber walks, Alonso would be ideal.

FIND A NEW BATTING COACH WHO CAN TEACH PATIENCE AT THE PLATE! The Phillies are always swinging at the first pitch and getting down 0-2 in the count way too much. They swing at pitches a foot off the plate. Cut down on strikeouts, play small ball, and not always swing for the fences, which will win more games in the long run. They cannot hit good pitching, which is why they have not been able to win the WS.

Melissa Hager

Lehighton, PA

Editor’s Note: As always Melissa, great thoughts!

Scrapbook ... Each column, I turn back the pages to review a former standout from our coverage area.

Panther Valley’s Jack Corby, a 1975 graduate, was a four-year member of the Panthers’ baseball team under Bob Gelatko. As a senior, Corby was the top hitter in the overall Carbon County area with a .407 batting average, and was instrumental in leading the Panthers to a top finish in the region.

A league All-Star, Corby was known for his speed, as he was a perfect 24-for-24 in stolen base attempts. In fact, Corby was never thrown out trying to steal a base in high school or senior legion.

After high school, Corby starred for the Lehighton senior legion team and helped the team to several Pocono Mountain League championships. In 1978, he finished the year with a .394 average.

Corby also played for several softball teams in the area for over 25 years, and constantly hit over .500. He led his teams to several state softball championships. In 1991, Corby hit .700 playing for Lengyel’s.

Aside from baseball and softball, Corby earned educational degrees from Lehigh County Community College, and East Stroudsburg and Kutztown universities. He later served as the superintendent of the Whitehall School District.

He also was an assistant football coach at Panther Valley and Tamaqua.

Time Passages ... Each column, I review the career of a former player, manager, or game situation.

On Dec. 5, 1975, the Phillies made one of their better trades in franchise history when they acquired right-hander Ron Reed from the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Mike Anderson.

Reed was a key toward the Phillies’ three consecutive NL East titles from 1976-78 as a bullpen arm and a spot starter. Anderson never achieved the anticipated regular playing time, and only played sparingly for the Cardinals over two seasons. He spent the 1978 season with the Orioles in a limited role, before he returned to the Phillies in the same role a year later in his final season.

In 1983, Reed was dealt to the White Sox for a player-to-be-named later, which turned out to be pitcher Jerry Koosman. Reed played two seasons with the White Sox, before he retired at the end of the 1984 season at age 42.

Final Thought ... At the time of this writing, there were 93 days until the Phillies’ first spring training game at Dunedin against Toronto.

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