great points, and those two trades were the headliners, but trading all of those prospects PLUS the ones traded you did not mention was a bit over the top, in terms of sheer quantity given up over such a short time span. The Pom and Thornburg trades seemed like overpays at the time. (I actually liked the Sale & Thornburg trades, because I had given up on Shaw and have always loved Sale.)
I wouldn't have made all those deals, but I have always said, I love the team DD built, and I like the fact that he created a 3-4 year window and not a 1-2 year grasp for a ring. I thank him for that. If we win a ring, I'll be okay with every trade and signing he and Ben made.
Just win, baby!