If you're being forced to sell something, wouldn't you want to maximize its value? Wouldn't you retain the most valuable people?

That's a good question. I don't know about the author's credentials but it seem very high and indeed I'm sure they would find a job anywhere they apply to.

But from the PoV of a higher up making layoff decisions, the sooner they severe the organization from the rest of the company, the less traumatic it will be when the time comes. I think at this point they realize it's better to start treating Chrome et al more like Waymore, which seems to have some isolation from the borg collective.

Not if they might become a competitor, or thrive (proving that the sale was a good idea). Better to keep them weak and likely to fail.