Dan Duquette Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation on Exec's Future with Orioles

Baltimore Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette was considering a jump to the Toronto Blue Jays, as reports surfaced on Jan. 14 that the AL East were interested in handing him the CEO job within their organization. However, on Jan. 26 the Blue Jays extended President and CEO Paul Beeston for the 2015 season, effectively ending any talks between Duquette and Toronto. 

However, talks have since broken down between the two clubs.

Continue for updates.

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Duquette Speaks About Toronto Situation 

Saturday, Jan. 31 

Sportsnet, via the Associated Press, provided comments from Duquette, who noted "there was substance" to the Blue Jays' pursuit:

"

A lot of times, players will be a trade rumour and sometimes managers get traded," Duquette said. "It’s even more rare that executives get traded, but occasionally it happens. It’s a unique experience. I think when you have a good team and you do well, people take notice.

[...]

It’s important for the Orioles fans to know that my focus — and my singular focus — is on improving the team. We do that day by day, trade by trade, addition by addition. We did that this year in the off-season like we’ve done it in the past.

"

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Blue Jays Extend Beeston

Sunday, Jan. 25

Dan Duquette officially will not be heading to the Blue Jays as Paul Besston received an extension today. Toronto announced the news on Twitter:

Beeston released a statement via Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star:

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Duquette Talks Break Down Between Orioles, Blue Jays

Sunday, Jan. 25

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reported that talks between Toronto and Baltimore for Dan Duquette have broken down as the two sides were unable to agree on compensation:

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Negotiations for Dan Duquette are over after the Toronto Blue Jays refused to consider the Baltimore Orioles’ demands for promising right-hander Jeff Hoffman and two other top prospects as compensation for the executive.

A deal between the American League East rivals was at no point close, and it appears a saga that’s lingered since word first leaked on the eve of the winter meetings in December is at last over.

The Blue Jays are believed to have been willing to offer a package of minor-leaguers similar to past precedents – think fringe right-hander Chris Carpenter going from the Chicago Cubs to the Boston Red Sox for Theo Epstein – with the baseball departments of both clubs negotiating the names once a deal for Duquette was reached, and Major League Baseball acting as a mediator if needed (as it did in the Epstein case).

It’s believed that at no point did the Blue Jays put forth any names for consideration.

Beyond Hoffman, the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft, the Orioles are also believed to have been seeking catcher Max Pentecost, the 11th overall pick in 2014, infielder Mitch Nay and more, demands that the Blue Jays at no point contemplated because of how steep they were.

"

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Duquette Move to Toronto Almost Complete

Thursday, Jan. 22

Jim Bowden of ESPN passed along what he was hearing as Dan Duquette looks to move to the Toronto Blue Jays:

Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun also reported on the state of talks between the Orioles and Blue Jays:

Buster Olney of ESPN gave an idea of what compensation would be for Duquette:

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MLB Won't Get Involved in Duquette Negotiations 

Monday, Jan. 19

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports that MLB will not have a hand in the ongoing discussions between the Orioles and Blue Jays regarding Dan Duquette:

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Duquette Linked to Blue Jays CEO Position

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Baltimore Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette may soon be departing for a divisional rival, as reports emerged Wednesday that the Toronto Blue Jays wanted to add him as their CEO. The Orioles have refuted reports that a deal is happening.

Tony Paul of DetroitNews.com reported a deal was close:

Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun provides comments from the Orioles' majority owner, Peter Angelos, who denies the move:

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first reported a deal was in the works.

Rosenthal also commented on Duquette's status in Baltimore:

This is fascinating on a number of fronts. What would the Blue Jays be willing to give up to bring Duquette aboard? Despite some Orioles brass apparently not loving Duquette, is the team really going to give up a general manager on the cheap who has had a lot of success with the team?

Duquette won the Sporting News award for MLB Executive of the Year this past season, the second time he's been given the award (he also earned it 1992 as the general manager of the Montreal Expos). He was instrumental in several key moves this season, including signing Nelson Cruz and trading for Andrew Miller.

Plus, the fact that the Orioles still managed to finish 96-66, best in the AL East, despite injuries to stars like Manny Machado and Matt Wieters and the suspension of Chris Davis, was a testament to the roster Duquette had compiled. 

So losing Duquette would be a big deal for Baltimore, especially within the division. If the Blue Jays want him badly enough and the Baltimore front office has enough of his detractors willing to see him go, compensation will be agreed upon. But these types of moves tend to be complex, and this one certainly seems to fit that bill.