There's that word again.
There doesn't need to be an excuse - it's an entirely valid way for the monster stat block to be structured.
I'll happily concede that the Starter Set has a case for expanded spell blocks if the space had fit, but I have a definite preference for non-expanded monster stats.
But again, the MM isn't locked in yet, so maybe you can convince the devs to adopt your preferred style. It's probably not too late, as yet... just please don't declare that other preferences have no validity at all. It's just as bad as the mocking the OP and others for caring about this issue.
Woah, I thought we were getting on the same page, but I guess not. I reference you again to my '3 points' premise. I'm not saying it's an invalid way to do a stat block because in my opinion it's annoying. I'm saying it's an invalid way to do a stat block because it contradicts the stated goal of the game.
Perhaps an exaggerated analogy would serve well here:
1) McDonald's comes out with the new McBarbecue sandwich
2) It doesn't have any Barbecue on it at all, it's just a chicken patty
3) I go on a McDonald's forum and say "This is crazy - they put a chicken patty on the McBarbecue sandwich, it doesn't make sense!"
4) Some people respond by saying "I like the chicken patty, it's delicious, what's the problem? It's a perfectly valid sandwich, lots of people clearly like it"
Just because some people on this board don't mind spell lists in stat blocks does not disprove anything about what I'm arguing - which to summarize again is 1) one of the key stated goals of 5E is to make the core play experience easy to play without requiring system mastery and without letting rules (or rules-referencing) get in the way. 2) Dropping spell lists into a monster's stat block with no summarizing information on what those spells do or how to use them contradicts the goal outlined in point #1.
To be clear, I understand there's room for argument, you may believe that 1) one of the key stated goals of 5E is NOT to make an easier play experience or 2) that spell lists in stat blocks actually DON'T slow down play at all and DON'T require system mastery to use effectively or even 3) there's another key goal of 5E that is more important than easier play and this goal is somehow served by putting detail-less spell lists into stat blocks.