I believe EDmuch is correct in his assessment of the Phillies for this year. Yes, MK is publicly toning down expectations, as well he should, but privately I think Middleton has convinced him that 2018 is the year to see if they can't compete for a playoff berth. Just read what Santana said about Klentak's sales pitch...he said it was clear that MK is convinced the Phils are going to win soon, and truth be told, they are maybe 1-2 players away.
Not going to happen but...what if the O's price for Machado went low enough [and it could] that the Phils felt it was worth it even if they only got him for one year and then they signed Arrieta as a free agent? While neither is likely there is no one who can say neither is possible and those two things happened, lets see it would be the Nats, Cubs, Dodgers for sure and then a grouping of the D'backs, Cards, Rockies...and Phillies.
The rest of the East is bad, the Bucs and Giants are likely to regress, Padres and Reds are weak and who knows about the Brewers?
It would take some inordinate good fortune, and one or two more additions to the club but right now this Phillie team is not that far away. This does not mean they should go for broke, I don't believe they should. But I am still of the mindset that this club has so many young hurlers they could offer the O's two of their upper tier pitching prospects for Machado and get a deal done. And if Machado came on board, Arrieta would be easier to sell on this team.