DD was given the mandate to win now directly from the man who hired him. Henry did not enjoy finishing last 2 years in a row and did not like the prospect of missing the playoffs for the final 3 years of David Ortiz's career.
You don't consider going from 3 runs up to tied losing the lead? In some sports you have the term co-leader, but that's when there are more than 2 competitors involved. I have never heard the term co-leader used in a baseball game. There's leading, tied or behind.
If the budget is limitless, roster issues are only peripheral concerns. If a guy isn't performing, regardless of paycheque, you jettison him. See Panda, Castillo and Craig examples.
I was thinking about this too (it was actually Saturday he was used). The only way it makes sense is if they intend to use him as our right-handed set-up guy - we certainly appear to need one.