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MLB’s winter meetings always produce drama

At the time of this writing, baseball’s winter meetings were just underway, and there already were a smattering of signings and deals.

Oh, and Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets. That’s roughly $51 million a year and catapults the Mets into the NL East favorite.

In recent weeks, there has been plenty of chatter about the Phillies finding a new third baseman and possibly an outfielder/leadoff hitter. With the bottom of their starting rotation having some question marks, the Phils are looking for (ALEC) Bohm to bring them a frontline starter.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll look at some of the Phillies’ offseason options, as well as some history and future with the sport.

A New Home for Bohm? ... Since the end of the season, the Phillies have made it clear that they will entertain offers for Bohm, even though the 28-year-old has had respectable numbers the past two years.

Phillies management has been rumored to be upset with Bohm over his handling of his slumps, specifically when he went 1-for-13 (.077) against the Mets in the postseason.

Still, Bohm was an All-Star and hit .280 with 15 homers and 97 RBIs last season. Over the past two years, Bohm has smacked 35 homers and driven in 194 runs — the latter among the league best. He is also known for his slick glove. Bohm is due to make $8 million this coming season.

With the window of their veteran stars beginning to tighten, the Phils are looking for more of a veteran presence with postseason experience. Astros free agent third baseman Alec Bregman reportedly is at the top of the list, and Cardinals veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado appears to be available with a $24 million price tag in 2025.

Internally, top prospect Aidan Miller isn’t ready to handle the Bank’s hot corner this season, and he figures to spend the year at Lehigh Valley.

Rumors out of Seattle had the Phils asking for either 26-year-old starting pitcher George Kirby (14-11, 3.53, 179 strikeouts in 191 innings) or 27-year-old Logan Gilbert (9-12, 3.23, 220/208), but the deal would have to be a multi-player one on the Phils’ part.

How about ex-Met free agent Sean Manaea, who would be a nice fit behind Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola?

Close the Door ... Reliever Carlos Estevez recently has been linked to the Phillies and Cubs for a deal worth $33 million over three years. The Phillies also were in the market for former Yankees’ closer Clay Holmes before he signed with the Mets.

Former Dodgers’ closer Kensley Jansen also has been in the conversation to become the Phillies’ closer. Ryan Hensley, Devin Williams and Tanner Scott are all at the top of every team’s list, and the Phils will be tempted to pull the trigger on one of them.

Soto Mojo ... Soto’s signing certainly changes the complexion of the NL East, but the Mets still have some holes to fill.

The biggest gap is still with the starting pitching staff with the loss of Luis Severino and lack of signing Manaea. Reportedly on their list of potential starters are Nathan Eovladi, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried and Corbin Burnes

Pete Alonso should be re-signed and back at first base for the Mets.

No Allen Wrench ... Finally, former Phillies’ controversial slugger Dick Allen was voted into the Hall of Fame Sunday by the Veterans’ Committee. That honor for Allen, who had 351 homers, 1,119 RBIs, and a .292 career average, was well overdue. Unfortunately, Allen isn’t with us anymore to celebrate.

Former Pirate Dave Parker joined Allen on the mantle. “The Cobra” had 339 homers, 1,493 RBIs and hit .290. He won two batting tiles and an MVP among his awards. Parker had one of the game’s quickest and most powerful swings, hence gaining his nickname. Unfortunately, Parker is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and is confined to a wheelchair.

It’s hard to believe that Steve Garvey, Tommy John and Luis Tiant — who recently passed away — didn’t get the nod.

Yankee Clippings ... Through the years, some of the more notable moves and deals at the winter meetings have involved the Yankees.

Last season, they acquired Soto from the Padres, primarily for Michael King and Kyle Higashioka.

In 1959, the Yanks acquired Roger Maris from the Kansas City A’s. The 24-year-old Maris hit 16 homers with 72 homers and a .273 average the previous season. Ironically, he was recommended to the Yanks by the fired A’s manager.

Ricky Henderson became a Yankee in 1984 when he was acquired for five minor leagues — with Stan Javier, Eric Plunk and Joe Rijo being among them.

In 2009, the Yanks and Diamondbacks made a swap that brought Curtis Granderson to the Bronx, who proved to be invaluable. Giancarlo Stanton, the 2016 NL MVP, came to the Yanks in 2017.

Some other high profile deals were Frank Robinson from the Reds to the Orioles in 1965 (enough said) for three players, and Gary Carter from the Expos to the Mets for five players in 1984, one being ex-Phillie Floyd Youmans.

In 1990, the Blue Jays and Padres made a blockbuster deal with Toronto sending Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez to San Diego for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar, a trade that significantly helped both teams.

Southern Comfort ... Friend, colleague and North Carolina resident TJ Engle told me that the greater Raleigh area is making a pitch to MLB for an expansion franchise there, likely for the 2028 or 2029 season.

“The Bring MLB to Raleigh” is a community group making a push for MLB to begin a franchise to the home of the current NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. There is an estimated 80-acre area of land around the Hurricanes arena.

The group has posted Raleigh, or the “triangle area that includes Durham and Chapel Hill,” as having a population of more than 2.1 million, which is comparable to Kansas City, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh; a top TV market of nearly 1.3 viewers; and an average income of $85,303, one of the wealthiest in the country. Raleigh hosted a minor-league team from 1900 to 1967.

Reportedly, ex-Phillies manager Joe Girardi has drawn interest as a top managerial candidate. Girardi is scheduled to serve as an analyst on the YES network this spring.

However, Raleigh is one of 10 teams on the radar, and Charlotte is among them. Others are Montreal, Nashville, Mexico City, Austin/San Antonio, Portland, San Jose, Seattle and Salt Lake City.

North Carolina governor Roy Cooper believes the Raleigh area is big enough to support a franchise.

For T.J.’s sake, I hope they get one.

Across the Pacific ... Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki will be “posted” during this week’s winter meetings. Teams can make offers to him, but Sasaki can’t be signed until the international amateur signing period opens Jan. 15.

Last season, the 24-year-old Sasaki went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA with 129 strikeouts, 32 walks, and two home runs allowed over 111 innings. Over the course of his four-year career, Sasaki has posted a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts and 88 walks in 394.6 innings. He has a triple-digit registered fastball as well as split-finger and a slider in his array of pitches.

With Shoehi Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto already in the fold, the Dodgers have had ties to him, but the Yankees or Mets could make a run at him. Los Angeles looms as the favorite to add him to their already stacked rotation.

Next season, look for left handed-hitting first/third baseman Munetaka Murakama to be the sought-after prize.

Murakama will play this season in Japan before the 25-year-old makes his way across the Pacific. He was a three-time MVP (2020, 2021, 2022) in the Central League and won the league triple crown in 2022 with 56 homers, 134 RBIs and a .318 average. Murakan broke Sadahara Oh’s single-season home run record of 55.

Last season, he hit .244 with 33 homers and 86 RBIs. Over seven seasons, Murakama has hit 241 home runs.

Again, the Dodgers will be a favorite, as well as the Yankees, to land him.

Final Thought ... Commissioner Rob Manfred made the right call by dropping the idea of the “Golden Bat” rule. Baseball doesn’t need any gimmicks to turn into a joke the NBA has become with its All-Star Game format and in-play tournament.

Your comments and thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com