i believe the FO moves indicate a plan to build the team to contend ~2020. And use the next few seasons to give in-house options the opportunity to get MLB experience and show what they are capable of. Ramirez for example with additional MLB experience may prove himself a solid MLB BP piece, that 2017 was no fluke - that he is someone to be relied on when Bo and Vlad join the show. A guy like Liriano reduces the opportunities available for these guys.