A.
Short dated option, big - Theta, small + Vega
Long dated option, small - Theta, big + Vega
SELL short dated option + BUY long dated option = + Theta, + Vega
(short dated option dominates Theta whereas long dated option dominates Vega)
Existing portfolio = -Vega (loss on vol increase), -Theta (loss on time passing)
now they can cancel out the risk exposures.