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Orioles Notes: Duquette, Jakubauskas, Guthrie

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Earlier today, we learned that after nearly ten years away from the game, Dan Duquette is coming back to baseball as the Orioles' General Manager.  Here's a look at some reactions to the move from around baseball and other O's news..

  • While he believes that Duquette is a "good man" and a "very bright" individual, Peter Gammons of MLB Network (via Twitter), he wonders if the GM will be able to get up to speed after a decade away from baseball.  After drafting Nomar Garciaparra in 1994, the former Red Sox GM gave up on the draft and only one first-round pick made it to the majors (Twitter link).  Gammons feels that the O's have decayed ever since Peter Angelos let Pat Gillick go at the end of his contract in 1998 and wonders if Duquette will have the contacts to find undervalued talent (via Twitter).
  • It's amazing that Duquette got a GM job just a few weeks after one of his protégés, Ben Cherington, was named GM of the Red Sox, writes Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe.  Duquette who hired Cherington in 1999 as an amateur scout.
  • Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports seems to doubt how much authority Duquette will have in Baltimore.
  • Duquette comes with plenty of detractors, but so did manager Buck Showalter when he came to Baltimore, writes MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli. 
  • Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (via Twitter) is happy to have Duquette aboard as the team's new GM.  The right-hander writes, "By all accounts we're fortunate to have him."
  • Last Sunday, Orioles pitcher Chris Jakubauskas refused his outright assignment to Triple-A and elected free agency, but said that he would like to reach a new deal with the club.  Tonight, Jakubauskas tweets that he hopes to have a new agreement for 2012 hammered out by tomorrow.

Orioles To Name Dan Duquette GM

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4:11pm: CSNBaltimore's Rich Dubroff reports that Duquette's contract is expected to be a three-year deal.

2:18pm: After nearly ten years away from the game, Dan Duquette is coming back to baseball. The Orioles and Duquette have agreed to a deal that will make him their new general manager, according to Jim Bowden (on Twitter). Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com agrees, stating that the two sides are merely "dotting the I's and crossing the T's" at this point (Twitter link). Bowden says that a press conference to announce the move could come as soon as tomorrow.

Duquette, 53, served as the general manager of the Expos from 1991-1994 and then GM of the Red Sox from 1994-2002. 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. Other major credits on his resume include drafting Nomar Garciaparra and leading the Red Sox to an AL East title in 1995 and back-to-back playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999 as the American League Wild Card winner.

Prior to being hired by the Orioles, Duquette had interviewed for the GM opening with the Angels that was later filled by Jerry Dipoto.

MLBTR's Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

East Notes: Thome, Braves, Red Sox, O’s

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The Phillies made one of the first notable signings of the offseason the other day, inking Jim Thome to a one-year deal. Here's some more on Thome and the rest of the game's Eastern division teams…

Orioles GM Search Notes

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Yesterday we learned that the Orioles are close to naming Dan Duquette as their next general manager.  O's owner Peter Angelos reportedly wanted to avoid hiring a GM who had recently been fired by another team and Duquette, who was removed as Red Sox GM in March of 2002, fits the bill.  Here's the latest from Baltimore..

  • Roch Kubatko of MASNSports believes that the new GM needs to increase the club's international presence, stating that "someone needs to build a pipeline to Venezuela."
  • The Red Sox likely wouldn't have won two World Series titles if Duquette had remained general manager, in Rob Neyer's mind, but he does point out that a roster largely constructed by Duquette won 93 games the year after his departure. Neyer wonders if anyone can succeed under Angelos.
  • Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston runs down some of Duquette's triumphs and failures in his time as GM of the Red Sox from 1994-2002, specifically mentioning his subpar people skills.
  • Duquette is meeting with Peter Angelos this morning and it still looks good for him to get the offer, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
  • According to an industry source, the Orioles did not offer Dan Duquette the GM job during Saturday's meeting, tweets Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.  However, there is still the sense that they will offer Duquette the position.

Olney On Reyes, Wright, Cuddyer, Prado

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In his Sunday column, ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighs-in on David Wright and other stories from around baseball.  Here are some highlights..

  • This morning we learned that the Mets will listen on offers for David Wright.  With a $15MM salary next year and a $16MM option (which Wright can void if dealt) for 2013, Olney writes that the club's best chance to get value in return for him is to deal him now.  Wright will turn 30 next year and while he has been a good solider, he could eventually ask to be sent to a contending team.  Instead, the Mets can deal him now and get players to help them win in 2014 or 2015. 
  • There is sentiment within the Mets' organization that the timing isn't right to build around Jose Reyes, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  There are concerns that he's not a fit between his leg injuries and their own timetable for contending.
  • One official told Olney that the Phillies' interest in Michael Cuddyer is so ardent that if wants to play with the Phillies, the deal is inevitable as the club will make it happen.  The expectation within the industry is that the veteran will get at least a three-year deal.
  • The Braves are open to trading Martin Prado this winter and given the attention currently being lavished on Michael Cuddyer in the free agent market, Prado figures to be quite popular.  An AL official told Olney that Prado is like a younger version of Cuddyer and might be a better hitter.
  • The Diamondbacks continue to negotiate with second baseman Aaron Hill, and there appears to be some momentum toward getting a deal done.
  • Dan Duquette is on the verge of becoming the Orioles' next GM but as recently as five days ago, the club had no plans to interview him.

Cafardo On Gonzalez, Rays, Davis, Ortiz

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The Cubs and Red Sox are after managers that will take a lot of input from their front offices, writes Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.  In fact, the two teams have quite a bit of overlap on their lists.  Meanwhile, the Cardinals will also be looking for their next skipper and it'll be interesting to see what type of manager they look for.  Cafardo writes that the important thing for the new managers in any of these cities is that they know the ground rules from the start.  Here's more from Cafardo's Sunday column..

  • A's lefty Gio Gonzalez remains a viable trade option for many teams, including the Red Sox and Marlins.  Meanwhile, the Athletics probably aren’t ready to contend.  The club appears to be buying time until they can build a new stadium in the San Jose area.  Until then, they may be in the mode of developing players and dealing them for players who might emerge a few years from now.
  • When all is said and done, the Rays are expected to be willing to deal right-hander Wade Davis this offseason.  A major league source says that while Tampa Bay will listen on James Shields, Davis is the pitcher they will likely end up dealing for an outfielder or a catcher.
  • Free agent David Ortiz seemed upset that the Red Sox did not re-sign him during the exclusivity period, but it made no sense for the club to do so with the veteran's limited options.  While Ortiz wants a three-year deal, the BoSox can wait and survey the market before committing to a multiyear deal for the 36-year-old hitter.
  • Red Sox assistant GM Allard Baird removed himself from the Orioles GM search this week and Cafardo wouldn't be shocked to hear of a new title for him within the Sox organization.
  • Cafardo envisions Tim Bogar winding up with a significant role with either the Cubs or Red Sox.
  • Former Rangers and Red Sox skipper Kevin Kennedy says that he enjoys his broadcast career but he sometimes gets the itch to return to the dugout.  Kennedy says that he would even consider being a bench coach.
  • Larry Bowa, currently working as an analyst for MLB Network, also has aspirations of managing in the majors again.

Orioles Notes: Duquette, GM Search, Prince

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The Orioles are on the verge of naming Dan Duquette their next general manager. Here's the latest on that, courtesy of Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, as well as a couple other items of note:

  • The Orioles won't allow Duquette, who is meeting with owner Peter Angelos tonight, to leave Baltimore without a contract. The O's let Blue Jays exec Tony LaCava return home before making their offer, which LaCava eventually declined.
  • Duqette is unlikely to object to retaining some personnel, opines Kubatko, considering he hasn't worked in the Majors since 2002.
  • Angelos wanted to avoid hiring a GM who had recently been fired by another team, a source tells Kubatko.
  • Former Pirates GM Dave Littlefield, who was relieved of his duties in September 2007, came up in conversation, but his dismissal was deemed too recent, tweets Kubatko. 
  • If Duquette is hired, he'll have to hire a new scouting director and a minor league pitching coordinator. Both positions are presently vacant.
  • The Orioles would be taking a risk in hiring Duquette, opines Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, but he could give them exactly what they need considering his success as the GM of the Expos and Red Sox, and his background in player development.
  • Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com wonders whether the O's will sign free agent first baseman Prince Fielder. After 14 consecutive losing seasons, signing Prince would show that the O's are serious about winning again, opines Dubroff.

Quick Hits: Cuddyer, Willingham, Duquette, Mets

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Let's take a look at some weekend links from around the league….

  • Michael Cuddyer is open to returning to the Twins, but even if Minnesota makes him the best offer, there's no guarantee he'll sign there, says Phil Mackey of ESPN 1500 (Twitter links). Last night we heard that the Phillies are seriously pursuing Cuddyer.
  • Approximately ten teams have expressed interest in Josh Willingham so far, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution (via Twitter). O'Brien adds that the Braves, who could use a power-hitting outfielder, are not one of those clubs.
  • With the Orioles close to hiring Dan Duquette, MASN's Roch Kubatko (Twitter link) talks to one O's person who calls Duquette "brilliant" and says no one is more connected in Asian and Latin American markets.
  • As Alex Speier of WEEI writes, 60-year-old Pete Mackanin, a managerial candidate for the Cubs and Red Sox, would be an unconventional choice – no one 60 or older has been hired for his first full-time managerial job since Bobby Mattick in 1980 with the Blue Jays.
  • Jim Thome doesn't seem to be a great fit in Philadelphia, says ESPN.com's Keith Law (Insider link). The Phillies agreed to sign the 41-year-old slugger to a one-year deal and introduced him at a news conference this afternoon.
  • Rick Sofield, who has played and coached with Clint Hurdle in the past, is the latest addition to the Pirates' staff, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  • The Mets are attempting to attract potential investors by agreeing to pay an annual interest on minority stakes, according to a New York Post report.

Orioles Close To Naming Dan Duquette GM

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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.

Latest On Orioles’ GM Search

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The Orioles are interviewing former Expos and Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette for their open GM position today. John Stockstill of the Orioles and Scott Proefrock of the Phillies are still being considered for the position, while De Jon Watson of the Dodgers withdrew his name yesterday. Here's the latest on Baltimore's search:

  • Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun says (on Twitter) that Duquette is a serious candidate for the job. He has experience in the role and wants to get back into MLB.
  • Allard Baird has decided to not interview for the job according to SI.com's Jon Heyman (Twitter links). Connolly says the O's have not yet asked permission to interview any additional candidates.
  • MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli says the team had hoped to make their decision by Monday, but all the rejections will make it tough (Twitter link).
  • The Twins denied the Orioles permission to interview VP of player personnel Mike Radcliff, citing internal reorganization and promotions, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.
  • The Orioles requested and obtained permission to interview Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
  • The Orioles are still waiting to set up meetings with Oppenheimer and Red Sox executive Allard Baird, according to Kubatko (on Twitter).
  • Andrew Friedman of the Rays and Rick Hahn of the White Sox declined the Orioles' interview requests, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli. The Orioles will interview Baird, according to Ghiroli.
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