The Orioles are close to naming Dan Duquette as their new GM, reports ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Duquette interviewed yesterday and is traveling to Baltimore today. According to MASN's Roch Kubatko, the Orioles have yet to officially offer Duquette a contract, but the two sides figure to work out a deal this weekend.
Kurkjian says the Orioles officially offered the position to just one other candidate, Tony LaCava, who turned it down. Allard Baird and De Jon Watson are among those that declined to interview for the position or removed themselves from consideration. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that Orioles' owner Peter Angelos would not let LaCava get rid of some long-time front office people, which is why he declined the job.
Duquette served as GM of the Expos from 1991-1994, then held the same position with the Red Sox from 1994-2001. The Red Sox fired Duquette shortly after John Henry's group purchased the team in early 2002. He's since worked with the Israeli Baseball League and the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He also interviewed for the Angels GM job before they hired Jerry Dipoto.
As a GM, Duquette twice traded for Pedro Martinez (once with Montreal and once with Boston), acquired Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek in trade, and signed Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon as free agents. Before becoming GM of the Expos, he oversaw the team's farm system, which produced Vladimir Guerrero and Cliff Floyd, among others.
