While Phillies fans are searching for answers to fix shortcomings, general manager Matt Klentak is considering the competition, his situation, and the player’s track record before pulling the trigger on a deal he’s responsible for.

Critical timing:

For the Philadelphia Phillies, management has two timelines: One is the lengthy negotiated deal down to the wire, and the other is the stealthy trade in late June or early July. Klentak must be decisive even with the high stakes of the organization’s first postseason hopes.

IN OTHER WORDS: “You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” – Theodore Hesburgh

A third method is the knee-jerk swap of armchair GMs, and supporters of all 30 franchises have them. To illustrate, some wanted the Phils to pay Jake Arrieta his original asking price: $210 million over seven campaigns. Was waiting unacceptable?

As for the quick, unpublicized acquisition, Klentak had needed a left-handed bat to complement his right-heavy power, and he overpaid to sign one of few sluggers with plate discipline: Carlos Santana. Yes, when a scarcity exists in a problem area, the dollar has a silver-tongue.

On the other hand, some clubs have a trading advantage with a player inked beyond 2018: They don’t have time limits. They will play one team against three others to maximize their return unless they receive a more-than-expected offer.

Leaving no stone unturned, front offices have an in-house preference to plug a 25-man hole. And the red pinstripes had done just that with Seranthony Dominguez, but surprisingly he thrived by recording the toughest outs. In fact, he’s the closest reliever here to being automatic.

For now, the decision-makers are concentrating on the second wild card because the Phils are one of five clubs within two games of both spots. But while they had produced an 18-20 mark against divisional favorites and playoff hopefuls for 38 contests out of 42 ending on July 1, they were 9-8 versus those other four teams during this stretch.

Wild-card franchises: