GM Decision Should Be Made Soon

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After Jerry Dipoto became the Angels’ GM and Tony LaCava declined the Orioles offer and De Jon Watson removed himself from contention, the O’s were left with one candidate. John Stockstill, their own director of player development. We all knew that hire wasn’t going to happen seeing as the Orioles organization’s biggest issue IS scouting and player development.

So, they brought in two more interviewees. Last week, the Orioles interviewed Phillies assistant GM Scott Proefrock who, even though he didn’t have a big background in scouting and player development, he had worked for the Orioles as the director of baseball administration for three years.

They also interviewed formed Red Sox GM Dan Duquette Friday. Duquette was the farm director with the Montreal Expos from 1987-1991 when he was promoted to GM until 1994. He was then hired by the Red Sox but was fired under their new ownership in 2002. He opened a sports academy for children in Massachusetts after being fired and has been out of baseball ever since. However, he has over 25 years of experience and is the cousin of former Orioles GM Jim Duquette.

Duquette had a second interview today, just one day after his first interview, and sources have confirmed that he is the favorite to become the new GM.

The Orioles liked his contacts and connections in the game as well as his background in scouting and player development, which has been the priority for the Orioles. They’re also confident in his heavy presence in Latin America and Asia markets, which is huge if you want to succeed with a smaller payroll.

Duquette seems to be very excited about the job and will bring some compassion to the team and he apparently has spoken freely about what it would take to beat the biggest powerhouses in the league: the Yankees and Red Sox.

With the Expos, he drafted Marquis Grissom, Cliff Floyd, and Rondell White as well as signing Vladdy Guerrero, Javier Vasquez, and Orlando Cabrera along with many others. He also acquired Ken Hill, John Wetteland, Jeff Shaw, and traded for Pedro Martinez. He built the best team in Expos history (1994) before taking the job with the Red Sox.

In the 8 seasons with the Red Sox, Duquette helped the team go 656-574, setting attendance records every year after 1998. The Red Sox also went to the ALDS twice and the ALCS once. He’s also known for getting many players that led to the 2004 World Series Championship such as Tim Wakefield, Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, Manny Ramirez, and Johnny Damon.

My guess: He’s announced as the new Orioles GM Monday.