"Should I be discouraged?"
Not necessarily, but it sure does make you want to take a wait and see attitude. Edgar had great credibility when he spoke on how to approach hitting, but I still had to be convinced that he could effectively transmit what he knew into positive results for players, most of whom couldn't match his superb skills. So far the results are very encouraging.
But there's no instant credibility to be had by either DiPoto or Servais. They may turn out to be wizards or else just good at GM'ing and managing. Or worse. There's some encouraging news on the GM front over this offseason, but also some questions. We SO BADLY want success in Seattle that we are anxious to believe we've struck gold. Just give us a thin strand and we'll hang onto it for dear life until we find out differently. The first two "savior GM's" didn't pan out so well. There were times with both of them that we convinced ourselves the good times were at the doorstep. Remember Bavasi's offseason of Beltre and Sexson? Zduriencik heading into 2010 and 2015?
Sooner or later you gotta think that we're gonna get a streak of good seasons going.
But as I step back from things for a bit I still shake my head that the M's for the third straight time gave the car keys to an unproven GM. More upside with an unproven GM who impresses you in interviews, someone well-spoken and well-spoken of? Perhaps. But that's just the point. It's a gamble whether or not your impression translates into reality. With a proven GM the gamble is still present but vastly diminished.
I can't help but wonder why the M's have gone the unproven GM route. They don't want to pay what it would take? They don't want to revisit the Gillick scenario where somebody has the standing and stature to push back against the bigwigs and just leave if they grow disillusioned with their bosses? Do they want people who depend on their good graces for jobs?
Let's hope the third time with an unproven GM is the charm.