If I remember correctly, Krivsky blamed the Denorfia trade on Linder. The team was $2M over budget, due to the Cormier trade disaster, so Linder ordered Krivsky to cut $2M from the payroll. Krivsky said his best option at that point was to sell one off one of the Reds prospects, so he traded Denorfia to the A's for two AAA pitchers and $2M cash.
And while Denorfia has had a nice career, it's been as a 4th outfielder. It would have been nice to have him, but he's basically been as valuable as Drew Stubbs or Chris Heisey over his career.