Matt Klentak, Phillies will be buying the trade deadline for the first time in his term

Let's say this for Phillies general manager Matt Klentak: He's ready to buy

But at what price?

Klentak always thought that he would be able to draw more definitive conclusions about his young team after a consecutive games against clubs that are or were supposed to be playoff contenders. The Phillies were 21-21 in those games, including five wins in seven games against the Washington Nationals. And with 20 of the next 23 games against teams that have lost records, it is unlikely that the Phillies will disappear in the division or in the wild card races, especially since they receive help from their GM

. Klentak said Tuesday, exactly four weeks before the trade deadline.

Because the Baltimore Orioles were in town for the first match of an infill series, Manny Machado was in everyone 's mind. The Phillies covet Machado, according to multiple sources, and would move mountains to trade them against the star of the sky this month if only they could convince him to sign a long-term extension. But that 's highly unlikely given that Machado is only a few months away from the free agency and a possible $ 400 million deal. Regardless of whether the Phillies are trading for Machado, they remain a prime candidate to sign it in the offseason.

And while Klentak reiterated that the Phillies are open to trading for a two-month rent, it's hard to imagine they would abandon right-hander Sixto Sanchez 19-year-old or any other elite-level prospect of their system farm charged for a short-term gain.

"The challenge we have now is, we are at a point where player development is intersecting with contention, and we have to understand how we got here and why we got here," said Klentak. "It's because of the development of our young players, not only in the minor leagues but also in the major leagues, and that's what puts us in that position." We must respect that.

>> READ MORE: Shane Victorino will officially retire with Phillies next month

"Now, at the same time, there are opportunities for us to put in day the team in the short or long term through the trade, we must also explore them.We will look for a lot of different solutions. "

Indeed, the Phillies have other ways of getting around. adding power to the middle of the lineup, especially at third base, Mike Moustakas and Adrian Beltre, free agents at the end of the season, will be coached by the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, respectively. the possible return of the Orioles for Machado

and their connection with Cole Hamels, starting with the Rangers and JA of the Toronto Blue Jays, fortunately they will continue to be tied to the two Leftists before the 31st. July

Klenta K said he received "a lot of phone calls, a lot of texts" from other teams. The conversations will only increase. With the five playoffs of the American League, all locked, there will be no shortage of sellers. Supply figures outweigh the demand, which should favor the Phillies in their attempt to make a deal

"Any trade we are going to do will cost us talent." We understand that " said Klentak. "But we hope we are opening a window of conflict that will last a long time.Our goal is not to culminate one year before disappearing the next.Our goal is to open a window and be good for a long time, so we simply need to make sure that the transactions we are considering balance appropriately with the future. "