I like most of Dipoto's moves...I'm optimistic...but the Iwakuma thing is where the optimism bus has catapulted off the road.
If i remember correctly:
--JD went into the winter meetings saying that signing Kuma was his top priority. This was not true.
--Signing Kuma on JD's terms may have been his top priority...but that's two different things. Either way, he failed.
--Some say Kuma was just too expensive at $15m. But that's exactly what Dipoto reputedly offerered--this year, and next. The third year was the 'issue'. (Not saying he was wrong, just that this is not the same thing as $15m this year.)
--Is Kuma someone who would appeal to C the Z afficianados? Well...
- Kuma, in an 'off' year, was the #12 starter in terms of K/BB
- He was #2 in fooling batters into swinging at pitches out of the zone
- He was #2 in minimizing pitches per plate appearance for batters
- He was #1 in the Fangraphs calculation of 'plate discipline' (confession: I have no idea how they determine this)
--So to avert risk three years down the road, JD punted
--The Dodgers claimed to find some troubling physical issue(s). So they punted.
--Kuma said he always wanted to be here anyway
--The Mariners were the only team in baseball who could sign him without forfeiting a supplemental pick
--JD had to go to the evil mizers in the front office to make this happen
--He stood up at the holiday party and took credit
Some have said this is just evidence of good luck. And 'hooray' I say! In my mind, this franchise is due for about ten years of consistently calling heads or tails right. If JD can wave a magic wand, sign me up.
But I'm not going to do backflips over the failed pursuit of a player who perfectly fit his C the Z mantra...even if the player wound up falling into his lap.