Orioles May Deal EVP Duquette To Blue Jays
Steve Melewski of MASN Sports joined the Scott Garceau Show with Jeremy Conn and Jason La Canfora to discuss the rumors of Dan Duquette becoming the Toronto Blue Jays CEO.
With optional mini camp going on now in Sarasota, Florida and Spring Training right around the corner, it's not exactly what fans wanted to hear but there may be a deal being discussed.
"We all saw what Ken Rosenthal reported earlier today, and he reported that the teams have had some talks about compensation which if true and Ken Rosenthal is usually pretty accurate. I mean that takes the story to another level, and it is the story that wouldn't go away. I mean, at the Winter Meetings, Dan had several opportunities to say 'Hey guys, I am NOT going to Toronto' and he never went that far and probably for some very good reasons. It's going to be interesting to see what happens going from here. But if he does leave the Orioles will I'm sure insist on compensation. He's under contract through 2018 so they would have to let him go. The other way he could do it would be to resign, sit out and then take over in 2019."
Sources from Rosenthal's story also added the two sides are not close to a deal, but the talks indicate the Orioles are open to Duquette taking the CEO role with the Blue Jays.
They guys discuss who could take over the role in-house. They speculate whether Brady Anderson is ready to take over. There may also be an option to have Buck take over that role at some point. Steve says it would be difficult for him to both coach and the front office work but he could work along side someone on the staff for an interim. Brian Graham has been an interim General Manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates before so he would be a viable option.
"I think, if you look back at the last five or six years, between Andy MacPhail and Dan Duquette," Steve says, "They have laid a tremendous groundwork in that front office for baseball operations, through the minor leagues, player development and scouting. There's a lot really good there right now for whomever takes over. IF someone has to take over."
Jeremy shifts the conversation to free agency and the loss of Nick Markakis to the Atlanta Braves and the fact that they are in a total rebuild at the moment. As far as the Orioles adding more pieces, Steve says that appear they're not going to and if that is the case then "they're going to need Machado and Davis and Weiters to play well and come back strong and be the forces they can be for this team." He is still confident in the team but he also understands the fan's angst.
They discuss young players like Jonathan Schoop and also some options for the Orioles' outfield, including Colby Rasmus.
Chris Davis, whos contract is almost up, is always a topic as well. His 2015 will be the difference maker for his future in MLB. If he has a big numbers year then the Orioles aren't likely to give him a huge contract.
They round out the conversation with some pitching prospects and, surprisingly, no new catchers.
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