By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Entering their June 22 series opener against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, the Philadelphia Phillies sit 3 1/2 games out of the division lead and just a half game out of the second Wild Card spot in the National League.
A win would give the Phillies 40 wins in 73 games. The 2017 Phillies needed 109 games to capture as many victories.
Despite their quick turnaround into postseason contention under new manager Gabe Kapler, the club has struggled on all facets of the game. Their .233 team batting average is tied for fifth-worst in the league, while their fielders have committed the third-most errors (56). Phillies relievers' 5.15 ERA since May 23 is also the fifth-worst overall, and the third-worst in the National League.
Phillies general manager Matt Klentak has described the trade market thus far as not "hot," but is rather in the "feeling-out process." On Tuesday, Klentak told philly.com's Scott Lauber that if the club enters July in a good position and gets "onto a roll," that it would put "hopefully" put themselves "into a position to make additions.”
“That could come in the form of years of control or the form of rentals," Klentak said. "If it’s the rental type, we just have to make sure that we’re maintaining the proper balance and perspective on that, so that we’re making this team better, but also not mortgaging too much of our future.”
Read: Phillies Have 'Had Conversation' on Beltre,
Donaldson, Machado, Moustakas to Replace Franco
With the non-waiver trade deadline less than 40 days away, many players, including rentals, have been linked via rumors to the Phillies. The most intriguing name for Phillies fans is three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner of the Baltimore Orioles, Manny Machado.
Machado seems to be the perfect fit for the Phillies on paper to complement Rhys Hoskins and Carlos Santana in the lineup. The 25-year-old has a career 162-game average of 37 doubles, 30 home runs and 89 RBI, as would start at shortstop, a position which arguably hasn't seen comparable, star-level talent since Jimmy Rollins' 2007 MVP season.
Given the Phillies front office's past ties to the Orioles, and their need for bullpen depth, there has also been speculation that two-time All-Star closer LHP Zach Britton could be included in a potential Machado-to-Philadelphia trade. Since 2014, Britton, 30, is 11-5 with a 1.58 ERA, 135 saves, and a 249-77 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 250 2/3 innings and 246 appearances.
On Thursday, FRS Baseball's Jon Heyman discussed the Phillies' rumored and potential interest to acquire Machado and Britton from MLB's worst-standing team (21-52, .288):
— The interest in Manny Machado could even increase after rookie shortstop/third baseman J.P. Crawford suffered a broken hand when he was hit by a pitch.
— Zach Britton was also a favorite of the Orioles execs who drafted him and now are running the Phillies. Might be something to keep an eye on.
Britton has missed most of 2018 while finishing up a six-month recovery from an Achilles surgery. He was activated on June 11, and is earning $12 million overall this season. Like Machado ($16 million), Britton is set to enter free agency.
Mortgaging the future would surely be questioned if the Phillies' pursuit and acquisition of Machado and/or Britton does not include signing a long-term extension. The price tag would be pretty high for the Phillies to acquire both players, let alone one.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the #Phillies raid the #Orioles – potentially Machado and Britton. There is a huge link between the organizations with Andy MacPhail there – I'm sure they're talking.
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) June 22, 2018
Another blockbuster duo linked to the Phillies to watch out for — which would not require as high of a price tag — is future Hall of Fame third baseman Adrian Beltre and veteran southpaw starter Cole Hamels from the Texas Rangers.
For 2019, Hamels, 34, has a $20 million club option, a $6 million buyout, or a $24 million vesting option. The vesting option likely will become void, however, as Hamels needs 400 innings spanning 2017 and 2018, and would need 159 2/3 more innings this season to reach for the option to vest. Beltre is earning $18 million this season and will enter free agency in the offseason. It is not clear if the 39-year-old plans to play a 22nd season.
If the Phillies continue to play itself into postseason contention for the first time since 2011, Klentak will be faced whether to pull the trigger by July 31, even if an extension of Machado and/or Britton is not agreed upon. Just how Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown is speculated to be pursuading NBA star Kawhi Leonard to be dealt to Philadelphia — given Brown's ties to the San Antonio Spurs — you have to wonder if the Phillies brass' connection to the Orioles can land them Machado and/or Britton at a fair exchange.
Klentak, Andy MacPhail and company will get another first-hand look at Machado and Britton in a two-game set against the Orioles, July 3-4 at Citizens Bank Park.
