Latest On Orioles’ GM Search

The Orioles decided to expand their GM search this week, after learning that Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava declined their offer in favor of Toronto. Here's the latest on Baltimore's candidates… 

• De Jon Watson has removed his name from consideration for the job, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman.
• The team would like to have the new general manager in place by Monday, tweets Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• The Orioles only plan to interview four more candidates, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun: Allard Baird, Dan Duquette, Damon Oppenheimer and Mike Radcliff.  The O's haven't asked permission from other teams to speak to any other executives, which would seem to eliminate others on the Orioles' list such as Andrew Friedman and Rick Hahn.
• The O's have contacted the Yankees about talking to director of pro scouting Billy Eppler, reports MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko (Twitter link).  Kubatko says the Orioles also plan to talk to the Rangers about permission to interview executives Thad Levine and A.J. Preller, and to the Athletics about assistant GM David Forst.
• Former Expos and Red Sox GM Dan Duquette will interview with the Orioles on Friday, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
• The Orioles are looking at Mike Arbuckle of the Royals and Allard Baird of the Red Sox, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). 
• Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com repeats that Dodgers assistant GM De Jon Watson won’t get the job (Twitter link).
• Watson and Orioles director of player development John Stockstill have interviewed for the position and Phillies assistant GM Scott Proefrock will interview as well. The Orioles also appear to have interest in Rays executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, Rick Hahn of the White Sox and Mike Radcliff of the Twins.
• ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighed in on the Orioles' GM search earlier today, explaining that Baltimore has a perception problem.