The Detroit Tigers, led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris, went into the trade deadline positioned to take a big swing thanks to a superb start to the season and a minor league system so flush it ranks among the very best in the league.
Instead, they took a more muted approach, opting to make moves around the margins to rehabilitate struggling players with past track records over mortgaging their future for short-term gain.
That shouldn't have been a surprise, as Harris had gone on record in the deadline lead-up, making it clear the club would be taking a pragmatic approach.