The Orioles need to part with GM Dan Duquette.
Ken Rosenthal
Yes, I noted the strong denial from Orioles owner Peter Angelos after both FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi and I reported that the Orioles had discussed a compensation package that the O's would require for allowing Duquette to become CEO of the Blue Jays.
To which I say: All part of negotiating.
Angelos told Dan Connolly of The (Baltimore) Sun that Duquette to the Jays "is not going to happen." Certainly, I would not expect Angelos to tip his hand. I also would not expect him to part easily with Duquette, who is under contract through 2018.
Here's the problem: Duquette wants the job, according to major-league sources; CEO is a step up from GM -- the highest position, in fact, that an executive can attain.
Duquette's preference is no secret within the Orioles' organization, creating a question of divided loyalties and an uncomfortable working environment. As I've reported previously, some of those employees believe that Angelos should allow Duquette to depart.
What would the Orioles do about a GM? Manager Buck Showalter likely would welcome more responsibility, perhaps even a dual manager/GM role. Special assistant Brady Anderson also could assume expanded duties, and the Orioles could hire an administrative type to make sure the front office ran efficiently.
Could Showalter succeed as both manager and GM? Probably not, considering that a GM's responsibilities are almost too much for one person, much less someone who also is managing. But that is a question for another time.
The bottom line is that Angelos has an employee who wants to be elsewhere. And that is not a healthy situation.
Jeff Hoffman? - No way!!