But the money on those pitchers doesn't matter and the years were reasonable. Odds are they will provide more WAR over two seasons than two younger or more fungible guys (say, Pinto and Abad, since those are literally the last two relievers who didn't make the 40).
Kapler doesn't "seem" determined to use the bullpen for 3+ innings, he has repeatedly stated that's going to be the case. The only way to avoid that as a starter on a regular basis would be to throw a perfect game (and even then you could get pulled after six).
But I still think the logic is hard to argue with - if it's not acceptable to have a pitcher in your rotation who averages an opposing OPS over .800 (Jeremy Hellickson, say) in all his starts, why is it ok to have your ace be that hittable in the sixth inning? Of course, if your bullpen sucks and/or you are missing two of your best three bullpen arms, that's a problem.
But really it's about the rotation. Nola's not gonna get hooked that early all the time. Arrieta neither. The question is can any of the other three pitchers go more than five innings on merit, ever? The main purpose of this season, .500 expectations aside, is to find that out (or to see if it's ok that they don't, with the right strategy and bullpen. Last night said maybe not but then again they won).