The Orioles "are listening to potential compensation packages" that would allow Exec VP/Baseball Operations Dan Duquette to leave for the Blue Jays and "get out of his current contract," which runs through '18, according to sources cited by Dan Connolly of the Baltimore SUN. Orioles Owner Peter Angelos last week said that Duquette "has a contract and he is expected to honor it and remain the club's top executive." But as the issue "has lingered, the club's stance appears to have softened somewhat." One source said that Duquette, "on multiple occasions, has urged Orioles ownership to allow him to seek" the Blue Jays' "all-encompassing CEO position, which, in essence, is held by the Angelos family" for the Orioles. A source said that due to the discussions, Angelos "might be more willing to acquiesce if appropriate compensation can be worked out." Connolly notes "proper compensation is seemingly the primary hurdle." A source said that P Jeff Hoffman, the team's first-round draft pick in '14, is "among the players who have been discussed as compensation" (Baltimore SUN, 1/23). In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck wrote, "My gut feeling has changed. Too much time has passed without any visible movement for me to believe that there isn’t a lot of invisible movement going on right now" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 1/22). Meanwhile, in Toronto, Richard Griffin writes the way Blue Jays ownership has handled the situation with Duquette "has been a disgrace." They have "tarnished the legacy" of team President & CEO Paul Beeston, who "was only going to stay on for one more season anyways." They also have "disrespected all Canadian presidential possibilities" like Blue Jays Senior VP/Business Operations Stephen Brooks. They have "made a silent statement about, and thus made it difficult and uncomfortable for, current GM Alex Anthopoulos, who has not commented on the situation, perhaps too busy looking over his shoulder" (TORONTO STAR, 1/23).
DOWN TO THE WIRE: In Baltimore, Eduardo Encina noted the Orioles are "slated to send their season-ticket information to plan holders early next month, but there’s still no word on whether prices will rise" for '15. The team is "going to an online process with its season-plan statements, but fans still can pay by phone, mail or in person." Given the delay in ticket information -- the Orioles sent plan details to season-ticket holders for the '14 season in early December '13 -- it is "believed the club still has not decided whether to increase prices" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 1/22).
