I read the article as meaning that the outing of the CIA station chief was a “show of good faith” on the part of the administration; a way to say, “we’re serious about this trade.” So Obama tells his Muslim buddies that he’ll out the CIA head so they know who’s leading it all, that’ll give the Taliban a little breathing room (maybe the CIA was on to something?), and the “prisoner exchange” was a cherry on the top.
I agree with you. What I disagree with is the idea that he was exposed in order to neutralize any opposition to the swap he may have had.
The Taliban were not holding the traitor. Another group not associated with the Taliban were. Ollie North claims that group got a few million in the trade.
Also possible IMHO, perhaps the nullification of the US spy network.