Fansided

Blue Jays don’t want to pay prospects for Orioles GM

By CM Towle

May 17, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Toronto Blue Jays ball cap and logo during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Blue Jays defeated the Texas Rangers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Toronto Blue Jays ball cap and logo during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Blue Jays defeated the Texas Rangers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The ongoing negotiations between the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles for O’s GM Dan Duquette have apparently ended on Sunday with no deal.

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The Blue Jays have been in pursuit of Orioles GM Dan Duquette since late last year as they wanted him to take over for outgoing president and CEO Paul Beeston, whose contract expired at the end of October, 2014. However, Duquette is under contract through 2018 and Orioles managing partner Peter G. Angelos refused to release him from that contract unless the Blue Jay gave up some serious compensation in return.

According to Shi Davidi of Canada’s SportsNet, the Orioles wanted top prospects, including promising right-hander Jeff Hoffman, in exchange for letting Duquette go.  That’s when negotiations broke down and the pending deal is apparently over at this point.

"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 fact that the deal wasn’t even close is somewhat surprising considering it seemed like it was heating up in the last few weeks. The Blue Jays were apparently willing to offer a package of fringe minor-leaguers and having the baseball departments of both clubs negotiate the particulars after a deal. The MLB would have been tapped to mediate if necessary. However, the Blue Jays reportedly did not name any names they were willing to part with at any point.

With the door on Duquette more than likely closed for good, the Blue Jays have to search elsewhere for their successor to Beeston. Toronto will probably open up the job publicly, since they already tried to interview White Sox executive vice-president Ken Williams, but were denied by owner Jerry Reinsdorf

On the Orioles’ side of things, it’s worth watching as Davidi points out. Duquette never commented on the negotiations during all the speculation, but it’s a similar situation to the Red Sox pursuit of Blue Jays former manager John Farrell. The Jays demanded Clay Buchholz in return for letting Farrell out of his contract, the Red Sox refused and Farrell stayed with the team another year before Toronto and Boston worked out a deal to send him to the Red Sox anyway.

As for tampering charges against the Blue Jays:

"If Duquette is staying in Baltimore, the Orioles must decide whether to file tampering charges. One official said the Blue Jays’ actions were “blatant,” but that doesn’t necessarily mean the club will go through with it. It’s known within the organization that Duquette had interest in the job, which could complicate matters."

It will be interesting to see how it plays out this year for Duquette and the Orioles.

[H/T: Camden Chat]

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