Would have been better-played 6 mos ago.

Why?..

Guessing a lame attempt to tweak Tesla for some hardware mishap such as the fire.

A self-contained fire, caused by hitting a large object, which only started spreading once emergency services broke through the battery casing. Exactly how is this a 'hardware mishap'?

If that's directed at me, you're preaching to the choir.

It wasn't Tesla's fault, but it was still a hardware mishap.

Are you trying to put down Tesla down for using a smart business tactic, while acquiring someone good?

Well, for one, it wasn't already clear to the public that TSLA was going to be successful then.

I don't see how the timing would have better then vs. now. It's a strategic move to bring someone talented from an extremely valuable company who produces "great" consumer products over to Tesla.

The investing public says otherwise:

https://www.google.com/finance/chart?q=NASDAQ:TSLA&tlf=12&ch...

So what was he waiting for?

Perhaps not to see how Tesla was going to do, but to see if Apple could continue its streak. After their latest announcement events, some may argue that streak has ended.

You are reading waaaay too much into this.

Don't you think that might have also made Field less eager to join them?