I still remember Gregg Zaun (covers Jays games and postseason games on Canadian sports network) talking about Middlebrooks having 'alligator arms' on that play.
What I'm saying is you seem to want it both ways. You complain about DD setting us up for a cliff, then you complain about him not making a bigger effort to trade even more prospects and make the cliff even worse.
I confess I didn't see the play live, but there are a couple of possibilities: 1) hit and run was on on the swing; 2) 'crossing up the defense'.
I have certainly seen numerous occasions where the bunt is put on and then taken off or vice versa.