More likely it is not a question of what they think. It is not likely naked shorting, but more likely hedging on an investment. If Mirasol is bad, they make money on the short and cover their losses on the stock. If Mirasol is good, they cover their short, for a small loss with a potential large up side.

It is even possible that some of the shorts are also some of the buyers of the calls for May. Relatively low prices to hedge good or bad news. The straddle makes money based on movement in either direction. They only lose if hte stock stays in a range and does not make any volatile moves up or down.

Cordially
b