I think the 2016-17 offseason was bad on paper but ended up working out fantastic when the returns came in:

Traded their starting 2nd baseman (Brandon Phillips) for essentially nothing and replaced him with a 27 year old off the waiver wire (Scooter Gennett)

Traded arguably their #1 pitcher (Dan Straily) for no real major league help but one of the prospects hit massively (Luis Castillo)

Replaced their starting RF (Jay Bruce) who had been traded at the 2016 deadline with Scott Schebler

Injuries to Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani were backfilled with a pu pu platter of 40 year old Bronson Arroyo, Rookie Davis, young Amir Garrett and Sal Romano