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Beeston's Future With Blue Jays In Debate, With Duquette Seen As Possible Successor

Blue Jays President & CEO Paul Beeston "is not going any where ... and will be the president" of the club for the '15 campaign, despite a report during the weekend implying his exit was near, according to Bob Elliott of the TORONTO SUN (12/8). In the original report, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported Rogers Communications, which owns the Blue Jays, "is actively seeking a replacement" for Beeston, with its search having progressed to the point where it "is identifying possible replacements and reaching out to other teams in cases where they need permission to talk to targets." One of the candidates who "has been discussed internally" is Orioles Exec VP/Baseball Operations Dan Duquette. However, given that he is under contract through '18, the Orioles "would undoubtedly ask for enormous compensation, if it even considered letting him go." Sources said that the Blue Jays' ownership "was not pleased with some of Beeston's actions during the search for a replacement for commissioner Bud Selig" (ESPN.com, 12/7). In Toronto, Richard Griffin notes it "has long been suspected this contract was going to be the last for Beeston." Beeston since rejoining the club in '09 "has rebuilt the respect for the brand." He "oversaw the transition of the Jays’ troubled GM situation from J.P. Ricciardi to Alex Anthopoulos and pushed for the return to the original team colours, a move that has paid off with young and old fans alike" (TORONTO STAR, 12/8). MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds said, “This is a huge job. ... You start thinking about all of the money they have with Rogers Communications across the whole country, they are loaded. This is a huge job that can do some things, some damage” (“MLB Tonight,” MLB Network, 12/7).

MORE AT PLAY HERE? The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes it is "not clear if Beeston is being pushed or jumping, but someone in power wants to hurry the process along." Beeston, a longtime friend and confidant of Selig, "was reportedly outspoken in his opposition" to Commissioner-elect Rob Manfred, with feelings "plainly hurt." Selig and Manfred "weren’t about to go after the likes" of White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf or Angels Owner Arte Moreno for initially opposing Manfred, but "maybe somebody had to pay." It is possible that Beeston "plays the role of Fredo here, with Selig as Michael Corleone." If that is the case, "shame on Rogers for abetting such a shabby little revenge." Still, it also is possible that the 69-year-old Beeston "just wants to leave now" (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/8). MLB Network’s Dan Plesac said since Rogers "took over the Blue Jays, it’s been a different way of doing business" for the team ("MLB Tonight," MLB Network, 12/7).

ANGELOS' SIDE: In Baltimore, Eduardo Encina cited a source as saying that the Orioles "are aware of the Blue Jays’ interest in Duquette, but there are obstacles to overcome before a move could occur, the largest being allowing him out of his contract." Orioles Owner Peter Angelos said that Duquette "is contractually obligated to the Orioles, and ... that's the way it should remain." Any team "wishing to speak to an executive under contract of another organization needs to receive permission from that club." Angelos: "He has a certain performance that is required in terms of the contract and, under those terms, he has four more years of service to be performed. I’m sure he is prepared to do that, and I am sure he understands that." Encina notes ahead of this week's MLB winter meetings in San Diego, Duquette yesterday "addressed the rumors in an interview with MLB Network Radio." He said, "These rumors, they come up in the industry all the time, and I don’t spend a lot of time speculating on the rumors, and I’m not in the position to do that either." When asked about Angelos’ remarks, Duquette said that he "plans to honor his contract" (Baltimore SUN, 12/8).

TEST OF WILLS: FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal reported the White Sox "are balking" at giving Exec VP Ken Williams permission to speak to the Blue Jays about the position. Williams as a result "could resign" (FOXSPORTS.com, 12/7). In Chicago, Daryl Van Schouwen reports Reinsdorf "balked at granting the Jays permission to talk to Williams a few weeks ago." Lateral moves "are one thing, but protocol generally allows for executives to receive the go-ahead for promotions to higher positions." One former MLB exec said, "It would make sense that Paul Beeston would call Jerry and say, ‘I’ve had enough, who would you recommend for the job?’ And he recommends Kenny, but to deny permission doesn’t make sense." Williams in a text message wrote, "Sorry, I’m just fed up with it all and hate that this actually got out. All I said when asked the question -- ‘Will I think about resigning after being denied the opportunity?’ -- was I have considered all the options anyone would given this set of circumstances. ... I'd rather keep my focus in that as it’s the only thing I have control over anyway. I’m sure you know where I’m coming from" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/8). Williams in an e-mail added, "I'm here at the winter meetings and working hard to help the White Sox, so it's a non-story at this point" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/8).

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