a) There was a lot of uncertainty in January. The signing of JDM wasn't announced until Feb. 19.
You don't know in January what your needs are going to be in July because of injuries or underperformance.
c) Who are all these bargain pieces you keep talking about?
It's tough to just give up on a guy you've invested a lot in. I think he gets one more start and if it's another bad one, it'll be the phantom DL with a strained lower back muscle or something.
One thing that gets forgotten, though, is that it was Lucchino who nominated Theo for GM after Beane declined. They had worked together in Baltimore and San Diego.
Possibly worth noting in connection with this thread is that Twins center fielder Byron Buxton, winner of the 2017 Gold Glove and Fielding Bible awards, has been struggling so badly on offense this year that he's been optioned to AAA.
San Diego was obviously holding out for a big package. Maybe DD could have whittled them down by one prospect if he waited them out. Or maybe someone else jumps in and gets Kimbrel.
You're kind of making it sound like DD should have gotten Kimbrel for next to nothing.