But who? Those who were traded didn't fare well with their new teams or play positions that the Tigers apparently expected to see internal improvement.
The third basemen who were traded, Ryan McMahon, Eugenio Suarez and Ke'Bryan Hayes hit .212/.313/.340 for the Yankees, .193/.259/.437 for the Mariners, .239/.320/.348 for the Reds. Granted, Suarez had 13 homers, but the Tigers and Diamondbacks don't really match up for a trade, unless you start talking about guys like Corbin Carroll and Riley Greene.
Zach McKinstry hit about the same or better than all three of them.
Josh Naylor and Ryan O'Hearn hit well after being traded, but the Tigers weren't looking for a 1B/DH type when they have Tork and Colt Keith.
The Tigers weren't looking for outfielders because they were counting on Parker Meadows being good when he was healthy. In hindsight, maybe they should've tried to get Ramon Laureano or Harrison Bader.
The Tigers weren't going to get Carlos Correa. He only was willing to be traded back to Houston.
Jose Caballero hit well for the Yankees, but given his track record that was not expected.
It was unlikely that the Tigers were going to improve their offense at the deadline through a trade.
David