Beane tried, He drafted Coleman (I'm sure McD wanted that). We made calls about Waddle and Shaheed. We couldn't match the ask. So he got Cooks. Only thing he could have done was draft WR higher, traded for someone before last year, or paid to much for a guy. What brought about Coleman's issues? I suspect McD's handling of him was not the greatest.
I am ok with the not bet everything at the expense of the future. But Ram's won a SB giving away draft picks for the correct players. And now they are quickly competitive again and look to have monster team this year. They are proof if your smart enough, it works. My biggest worry is time is running low for Josh. But he could go on a 10 year run! I hope.