It's been a process for over a decade, basically they were really bad, hit on a lot of 1st and 2nd rd picks, building the core that won a World Series, then started signing 2nd tier FAs at the cost of drafts, along with trading prospects (starting with Garcia for Gonzalez and Floyd) for aging veterans.
Imagine if they took the approach that Hinkie and Hextall have done, build up the asset base for an extended run.
Instead of what is looking like a 6-7 year hole, they could have reloaded in a couple seasons.
Most of the moves that got them a World Series were minor, such as claiming Victorino or picking up Werth or sticking with a "loser" like Ruiz who was a marginal prospect, or signing Durbin. Trading for Lidge in 2007 and Blanton in July 2008 were key moves. The core was built in the 1996-2002 drafts. They just lost their draft touch, then traded their prospects and by 2012 the cupboard was empty. RA gambled everything in 2009 to 2011 and lost.
Look at the 2008 roster (and this is after they left Abreu walk, etc):
Ruiz - marginal LA prospect
Howard - (5-01)
Utley - (1-00)
Rollins - (2-96)
Feliz - FA, 1 yr, $3M
Burrell - (1-98)
Victorino - 2004 Rule 5
Werth - 2006 street free agent
Jenkins - 2007 FA, 1 year, $5M
Coste - 2006 street free agent
Dobbs - 2007 waivers
Brunlett - 2007 Lidge trade
Hamels - (1-02)
Moyer - 2006 trade for two scrubs
Myers - (1-99)
Kendrick - (7-03)
Eaton - (1-96)
Blanton - July 2008 trade for Cardenas, Outman and Spencer
Lidge - 2007 trade for Bourn, Costanzo & Geary
Durbin - 2008 FA, $900K
Madson - (9-98)
Condrey - street free agent 2005
Romero - 2007 SFA, 2008 resigned, 3yr, $11.75M
J Happ - (3-04)