Given Manfred's comments during the All-Star break regarding a sale of the Twins that is going to happen (indicating he knew more than most), I assume this dismantling of the team was something new potential ownership was okay with and may even have dictated be done now so as not to look like the bad guys when they take over. They'll actually look like potential saviors of a franchise that is plummeting into obscurity...further.
Optimist in me says they'll also begin the free-agent season with some money in hand and prepared to put together a club that can compete, eventually.
Holding out for a silver lining in this.