I literally said I'm not a fan of how close the designs are and I think that's disqualifying and keeping me from getting fully on board. If Yamato is it then yeah, I'm disappointed in Oda. The designs ARE too close, regardless of what color eventually brings to the table. (Though red, purple or white hair would be strong arguments) At least their heights are radically different so side by side there'll be no confusion.
You're not catching me in any sort of contradiction.
I've said time and time again though that Oda is not subtle when he brings the new one in, and storywise Yamato is best bait we've had in ages, with multiple standout introduction scenes, a personality quirk and dream, desire to head out that's already been asked, connection to Ace, lots of interplay with Luffy, their initital design had some history to it (even if it's Oden's history, and the handcuffs are gone now) and a strong connection to the story arc we're actually in. Oda is trolling well.
So putting my money where my mouth has been for years and saying "I don't like the design but the story feel is there."
I'm not sold on final crewmember, because I don't like how similar the design is, or how there wasn't really any foreshadowing, so next long term travel companion maybe. And I'm not going to fanfic a thousand what-if scenarios about future development, or at this point in time insist it MUST be Yamato, because I'm not feeling that at all, and someone could show up next week to outshine, but just going "none of the above" for ten years is boring.
Plus, it'd be unfair if I spent the next 8 months going "ehh" then changed my mind when a flashback came up or he got a face scar or something, and then later acted like I knew all along because the story stuff.
So putting my stamp down on it now of "I don't like it, but I can see it." Oda is trolling and baiting VERY well on this one.