I like how he handled Iwakuma. I love the guy but he's going on 35 and has missed a decent amount of time to injury three out of the last four years. (While still being underpaid.) IP: 125, 219, 179, 129. Considering how the Mariner execs manage their budget, I don't know if I would have gone three years guaranteed either. The contract they struck with him is perfect for the ball club. If he's slow out of the gate again, you just let him Cone his way through the second half of the season. I'm down with that. Just *probably* not at 3 years guaranteed.
I'm of the opinion that there is really no such thing as luck in business. Unexpected good things happen and unexpected bad things happen. It usually seems like you get more of the latter than the former but unless you are in a declining business or industry, the good and the bad come with roughly equal frequency. I've worked for some GREAT executives and one thing that separates them from the rest of us is their ability to handle the unexpected events. When unexpected opportunities arise, these folks hit home runs like roid-era Bonds. They're killers.
Iwakuma dropped right into DiPoto's lap, no doubt. And he's the one guy that management would go outside the budget to accommodate. Kind of a perfect storm. But give DiPoto some credit - he took advantage. He didn't miss, which is what you want to see. What odds would you have given Zduriencik in that situation? 50/50? My pessimism tells me there's a healthy chance he would have fretted and chiseled Iwakuma into an A's uniform or something.
It'll be years before we know if DiPoto's got that Gillick-level executive talent. I think he's definately proven to be bold and decisive - two killer traits for an executive. I hope he's great - like Obi Wan, he's our only hope.