In case you missed it, the Phillies made a major move last week.

Preston Mattingly — yes, not Don — was named as a co-general manager of the club. Sam Fuld, who had served in the role alone, will handle the business end of the club’s operations, while Mattingly will handle the baseball side. Mattingly joined the Phillies in 2012 as director of player development.

Is this a signal that the Phils are set to make some major moves?

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column — investigating past and present moves of the Phillies, Yankees and Mets as well as the game — I’ll look at the Phillies’ present state, as well as the Yankees and Mets. Also, I’ll recount some former Phillies’ general managers.

Out In the Field ... The Phillies did make some minor moves that slipped under the wire to start free agency by clearing five spots off their 40-man roster and filling three of them with right-handed pitchers.

They out-righted five rather insignificant minor leaguers, and added Devin Sweet, who had a cup of coffee with the Mariners and A’s; John McMillon, who likewise had one with the Royals and Mariners the past two seasons; and Alan Wrangel, a former Braves farmhand, who had 10 games at Lehigh Valley last season.

Both President Dave Dombrowski and Mattingly likely will begin looking for some outfield help, as Brandon Marsh and Austin Hays could be on the fence. Marsh is a fan favorite, but has trouble being a consistent contact hitter, and Hays — saddled with injuries and a kidney infection — never materialized as envisioned and may not be tendered.

There is also the question of staying with light-hitting, great glove Johan Rojas in center field.

Former 30-year-old Oriole outfielder Anthony Santander, who clobbered 40 long balls, continues to be discussed by many teams, despite the fact he doesn’t hit high for average and has a propensity for strikeouts.

The Phils could give a long look at former 31-year-old Padre Jurickson Profar, who has hit the market and has good overall numbers as a switch-hitter.

Former 32-year-old Dodger Teoscar Hernandez also would be a solid addition with his 33 homers.

I would lean toward Profar, who I believe could have a terrific upside. He hit .280 with 24 homers and 76 walks.

Pitchin’ A Deal ... Even though the Phillies apparently have their rotation set, and top prospect Andrew Painter is headed north, White Sox top hurler Garrett Crochet could be back in play. The Phils reportedly made a run at him in July.

There’s also some speculation that either Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer could be inked to one-year deals for depth, especially if they decide to dump Taijuan Walker.

In the bullpen, the Phils should resign either Jeff Hoffman or Carlos Estevez, and there is also talk about Milwaukee’s Devin Williams, or Houston’s Ryan Pressly.

Soto Sweepstakes Or Pitchin’ Plus ... The buzz around the New York camps is all about Juan Soto.

The initial strong indications that Soto would stay with the Yankees is beginning to become lukewarm. The Yanks did retain $36 million from not extending Garrit Cole another year, but are leaning to spread out finances for some needs.

There also is some speculation the other way that they will sign Soto to a multi-year, $600-million plus pact for Soto, and add Mets’ first baseman Pete Alonzo.

The same can be said for the Mets, who could sign both.

However, both clubs could use more pitching. Blake Snell is the big ticket item.

Crochet, Atlanta’s Max Fried, Baltimore’s Patrick Corbin, Texas’ Nathan Eovaldi and Los Angeles’ Jack Flaherty have all been linked to both clubs. The Mets are looking to retain Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana, but are unlikely to retain the entire trio.

The Mets also have Paul Blackburn, who missed the season due to a back issue.

Besides Cole, the Yanks will bring back Nestor Cortes, Clark Schmidt, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman. Of those, Cortes, Rodon and Gil still come with some questions marks.

Could the Dodgers add to their already “super team” and sign Soto? It’s certainly not out of the question.

Though a longshot, how about a reunion with Bryce Harper on the Phillies?

With Soto’s agent Scott Boras, it will undoubtedly come down to the highest bidder.

Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal seems worth it because he can pitch. Is Soto worth that much over that deal? We’ll see.

Seeing Red ... In June 1988, the Phillies surprisingly fired GM Woody Woodward in his first year with the club after they had compiled a 24-33 record. Then Phils’ president Bill Giles cited “philosophical differences,” but the real difference is something I can’t disclose in this column (I have it from a very good source).

Giles hired former Cardinals’ director of development Lee Thomas, who had one of the most successful runs in club history. Thomas relieved Lee Elia late in the season, and John Vukovich had a 10-game interim stint.

Cardinal coach Nick Leyva was hired, but struggled and was relieved in April 1991 by Jim Fregosi, Thomas’ Angel teammate.

Thomas built the 1993 pennant winner, bringing aboard Lenny Dykstra, Curt Schilling, Mitch Williams, Terry Mulholland, Charlie Hayes, Danny Jackson, Tommy Greene, Dave Hollins, Milt Thompson, David West, Pete Incaviglia, John Kruk, Larry Andersen and Jim Eisenreich to name a few. Through Thomas, 80 percent of the 1993 club was created via trades or free agent signings.

Unfortunately, the Phils floundered for the next four seasons, and Thomas was fired and replaced by Ed Wade.

Short, But Sweet ... In just two seasons from 2006 to 2008, Pat Gillick made some significant moves to help solidify the team, and brought them their first championship since 1980.

Through trades and free agency, Gillick acquired Jamie Moyer, Matt Stairs, Brad Lidge, Aaron Rowand, Arthur Rhodes, Eric Bruntlett and Jayson Werth to a roster led by Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Cole Hamels.

We all remember how Charlie Manuel paced the Phils, but we often forget Gillick’s great short-term work.

Long Train Running ... If you’re a graybeard, you likely remember the long-term run of John Quinn, who served in the role from 1959 until early 1972. He was a lifelong baseball man from a baseball family.

At the start of his term, Quinn had to shed the final pieces of the 1950 “Whiz Kids” by dealing or releasing Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, Granny Hamner, Willie Jones, Richie Ashburn and Stan Lopata.

He hired Gene Mauch, and despite the 1964 collapse, Quinn brought in Tony Taylor, Cookie Rojas, Jim Bunning, Gus Triandos, Johnny Callison, Tony Gonzalez and Don Demeter.

The Phils did have a modicum of success, but struggled in the late 60s and early 70s.

However, his franchise-turning trade was acquiring Steve Carlton for Rick Wise in early 1972.

Unfortunately for Quinn, he never saw Carlton’s rise to the top, as he was fired in early June of 1972 and replaced by Paul Owens.

Owens would take his cue and began to construct a consistent NL East contender and eventual World Champion.

Count ‘Em ... Since 1944 when Herb Pennock served in the inaugural role, there have been 14 GMs in the Phillies’ front office.

Other notables were Ruben Amaro (2008-15) and Matt Klentak (2015-2020). Giles was recognized as the team’s GM from 1984-87.

Time Passages ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former team, player or game situation from our past.

Through the years, the Phillies have had some free agent left fielders.

Incavigila joined the team as a free-agent signing from Houston before the 1993 season and hit .274 with 24 homers and 89 RBIs. Raul Ibanez was signed from Seattle and hit .272 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs in 2009.

People may forget that Greg Luzinski was a free agent after the 1984 season with the White Sox, and was rumored to return to the Phillies in a limited role, but instead retired.

Your thoughts are always welcomed. Email them to tnsports@tnonline.com