One narrative that's a legit explanation that many had, including myself, is that the plan you mentioned AA having wasnt really working out. His drafts/prospects have mostly fizzled. I mean yes he moved Noah and TDA but neither was a guaranteed franchise changer. All the hopes of seeing Gose, Lawrie, Drabek and other be franchise cornerstones started fading last season.. then you have an aging core already in Jose/Edwin.. I mean, was staying the course really going to be better? Woud we be better off if those moves werent made. I say yes.. but would we really be a team set up to compete the next 3-4 years in AL East? No way
Guy prob panicked a bit and knew he could lose a job he may never get again.