To complicate matters, when not logged in and I check only Delta flights on "High" days, one option at 275,000 comes up via SLC where SAN-SLC is in coach, with a convenient 16:52 layover in SLC.

If I want to shorten the layover, I can use 430,000 miles to have only a 9:41 layover in CVG.

Maybe some people are prepared to spend that much. But surely Skymiles has to acknowledge when you have such inflated numbers, random variability in pricing, poor connections etc, offers like 25,000 mile credit card sign on bonuses, shopping/dining miles or double miles on car rentals or hotel stays are pointless - what you earn from them can represent just the difference between the results the search engine spits out, which depends on how it feels that day.

I genuinely like Delta, it's my preferred US carrier. However Skymiles discourages flying Skyteam carriers unless they are the cheapest/most direct option, and actively discourages accruing non-flying miles to them.