Baltimore Orioles: The View of Dan Duquette from Toronto
Sep 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Anthony Gose (8) is safe at second base ahead of a tag by Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) during the second inning in a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
In the ongoing saga of the Toronto Blue Jays bizarre and relentless pursuit of Dan Duquette to lure him away from the Baltimore Orioles, it is interesting to see what the sports press and Toronto fanbase think of these proceedings. Whereas one might expect them to be total homers and perceive their own boys to be lily white (which is the way the Boston writers and crowd would be), they mostly are actually rather objective about it all … even embarrassed about these happenings.
For our purposes, let me lift for you some quotes from three sources there in Canada, along with some fan comments as well.
In an article by Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star entitled “Why the Blue Jays Should Pass on Dan Duquette,” he has called the handling of this situation a “disgrace” …
The way Jays ownership has handled this has been a disgrace. They have tarnished the legacy of Beeston, who was only going to stay on for one more season anyways. They have disrespected all Canadian presidential possibilities like current business exec 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.
Duquette has it all over any politician anywhere when it comes to saying something while saying nothing
Wow, that is a pretty strong statement from a hometown newspaper. While the writers and most commenters acknowledge that Duquette has a pretty strong record of success, and whereas a few take on some sort of “the end justifies the means” position so just get him so we can win, most fans were equally embarrassed and wary of the entire deal. For example …
This is ridiculous. If he does come over to the Jays and signs a contract with them, who is to say in a couple of years he won’t change his mind again and want a job elsewhere. MLB needs to put some rules in place to fix this silly situation.
Among many who referred to DD as “a suit” and not worthy of giving up talent, another commented by saying …
You have got to be kidding. A first-round draft pick for an executive, a suit, when they would not part with prospects to even bring us a second baseman when they were on the verge of playoffs last August at the deadline!
In the Toronto Sun, there is a story by Bob Elliott entitled “The Inside Story on How Rogers Tried to Replace Blue Jays President Paul Beeston.” In talking about “Rogers,” the reference is to Rogers Communications – Canada’s largest cable provider with 28,000 employees.
The author speaks of his own criticisms of Paul Beeston over the years, but goes to bat for the embattled exec …
Rogers Communications pays the cheques and spent $137.2 million on team payroll … eighth-eighth-highest in baseball. As a company, it is entitled to do whatever it wants when it comes to making changes. But to leave someone hanging in the wind like this? … This is no way you treat the team president.
And in a third article from the National Post entitled “Is Dan Duquette Worth the Toronto Blue Jays Giving Up Top Draft Pick Jeff Hoffman?” the writer – John Lott – opines that that it terribly contradictory in Canadian parts to, on one hand doggedly pursue Duquette, but then on the other act like he is not worth a bucket of balls to get him there.
So yes, Hoffman would indeed be a steep price to pay. But given the circumstances, it is easy to understand why Orioles majority owner Peter Angelos would expect the Jays to pay dearly; it is a perfectly logical position.
This is really such a great article and filled with refreshing logic. Lott says that the Orioles are correct to expect quite a compensation for giving up four years of an effective executive. And of his own local ownership he states …
It is unclear whether (Ed) Rogers cares about the trail of stink-bombs he has ignited …
This story has gone on too long, without doubt. One would think it must end before FanFest on Saturday. But then again, Duquette has it all over any politician anywhere when it comes to saying something while saying nothing. But it could be quite a show at the Convention Center. I’m not going to miss it.