The problem with this post is that it treats the trade deadline like it is an absolute deadline. Sure, if you look at July 31 and only July 31, then it should be one or the other, and I agree that at that time #2 is not a valid defense. However, trades occur during the waiver trading period in August, and commentary about what they should/shouldn't do continued into that time frame. Early you heard #1, #1 didn't come true and Youkilis went down, then you heard #2. This is how I remember the discussions going.
EDIT: I didn't see that Kilo actually referenced the deadline. However, since the comment smells like a blanket indictment of the two rationales, I'll let this stand. If it was meant for a response to Kilo, and Kilo only, I retract it.