Baltimore Orioles’ Dan Duquette Situation Unparalleled

Aug 3, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager

(26) argues with home plate umpire Larry Vanover after being ejected in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Mariners defeated the Orioles 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

I can imagine that the way Buck feels in the above photo, after being ejected, most Orioles fans feel right about now.

As the rumors about Dan Duquette going to the Toronto Blue Jays rage on, the Baltimore Orioles are in a situation that Major League Baseball has never seen.

At this point, MLB probably is a bit wary of the Baltimore Orioles and Peter Angelos.

Last year, the team and Angelos won the fight in court over the MASN fee dispute.  This has allowed the majority of the MASN income to stay in Baltimore, and not go to the Nationals.

Just today, MLB decided to have the 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego.  The Orioles, up until the court appearance, were the favorites for the 2016 game.  Bud Selig said so himself.  Typically, baseball alternates NL and AL, and in 2015 the NL will be hosting.

Well, as you well know, San Diego is in the NL too.  Baltimore has not hosted the All-Star Game since 1993.  Only three AL teams have not hosted since then; the Tampa Bay Rays, the Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays. And I can’t see MLB showcasing any of those three dumps of stadiums anytime soon.

But, it looks like politics has won out.

Speaking of Toronto, that is the other mess that the Orioles find themselves in.  The Dan Duquette rumors continue.

Ken Rosenthal went on a radio show and said he believes 100 percent that Duquette is going to Toronto.  It is becoming quite clear that Duquette may not really want to be in Baltimore.  Some in the organization have said the situation is ‘toxic.’

Buster Olney says the ball is in Toronto’s court, and they know it will be a high price.  Well heck yes, it sure better be.

Rosenthal on the radio show says that there is no way the Jays should give up someone on the level of Marcus Stroman.  If I am Angelos, that is exactly what I want.

Duquette has four years left on his contract.  He would be going to a RIVAL in the same division.  He just won general manager of the year. There is a major conflict of interest here. The other Chris Carpenter is not going to be enough.

If I am the Orioles, I am asking for Stroman, or one of the Jays’ top pitching prospects, either Aaron Sanchez or Daniel Norris.

However, I also don’t know if the Orioles can really go into the season with Dan Duquette as GM.  At this point, I don’t know if that would be a good situation for anyone involved.

The Blue Jays and Orioles have not really been big rivals in the AL East.  However, with Josh Donaldson, who O’s fans aren’t real high on in Toronto, and this whole Dan Duquette saga, this could give the O’s another main rival in the AL East.

I’m not sure what is going to happen at this point, but I have a feeling it is going to be messy.  And it also needs to get resolved, very soon.