At the very least your bullet points offer Elias some cover. Holliday seems to be the only one where service time is being controlled.
Regarding Norby... I just don't see any path for him at all. He's blocked in the IF, and even if he learns how to play the corner OF, he is likely blocked there too. Could it be that the O's are hoping he improves his stock to increase his value at the trade deadline?