Part of the fun, and challenge, is to try to see what the team is capable of, and not merely regurgitate our W/L Anyone can look at a team's record and tell if they should buy or sell. I'd rather look at a team like the Tigers, for example, and try to extrapolate their chances of the playoffs and beyond, by looking at run differential, the return of Skubal, etc.
IRT having only two options of going all-in or all-out, absolutely not.
In 2018, we made two small-to-middle level moves giving up only Espinal and Beeks, and that won it for us.
In 2013, we only picked up Peavey.
In 2007, we only picked up Gagne.
In 2004, we picked up Minky and OCab. Better, but neither were big names.
If you want to improve, you usually just need to focus on your weakest positon in the field and in the lineup, and eliminate the weakness. You don't necessarily need the shiniest toy in the store. Pitching is different, since there are more variables. But your field team only needs strategic upgrades.