"The converts to the total rebuild approach just keep growing."
Hardly a convert. As a fan, I have always maintained that I would rather come in last place than third of fourth. For the high draft choice, of nothing else.
However, as a fan, it isn't MY money that is at risk. If I were the owner, and heavily in debt, the last thing I would do is gut the team to the extent that you advocate. From the point of view of a continuing business, Ricketts seems to be doing what he has to do. Build for the future, but stay in business so there IS a future, at least for the Ricketts family.