More changes coming to Orioles front office and scouting

More changes coming to Orioles front office and scouting
The Orioles sorted through their Halloween candy last night and found a bunch of Whoppers and Dum Dums. One family sneaked in a box of raisins. Someone else gave out apples. This is what happens when you lose 115 games. The full-size Hershey bars go to the winners. I got a rock. A new month leaves several Orioles employees without contracts, the expiration dates striking at midnight. The front office already is undergoing significant changes while the Orioles decide on a president of baseball...

Duquette: "We like Hardy and Wieters as core players on our ballclub"

Duquette: "We like Hardy and Wieters as core players on our ballclub"
The GM meetings are supposed to wrap up tonight in Orlando, but Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has another face-to-face scheduled for Thursday morning before he flies home. I just got off the phone with Duquette, who said he's met with a little more than half the teams. Special assistant Lee Thomas also has met with a few clubs. Here's a sampling of Duquette's quotes: On how he'd characterize the first three days: "We've been meeting with teams and agents and canvassing...

Lee Thomas on Duquette: "Some people missed the boat on him"

Lee Thomas on Duquette: "Some people missed the boat on him"
DALLAS - Dan Duquette and Lee Thomas are working together again. Thomas was hired today as a special assistant to the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations. Most recently, Thomas worked as a pro scout for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2004-2006. Prior to that time, he worked for six seasons as special assistant to the general manager and assistant general manager for the Red Sox, working closely with Duquette the majority of those years. Thomas was general manager of the...

Ferreira and Blakeley among possible front office hires

Ferreira and Blakeley among possible front office hires
I'm hearing that the Orioles could announce more hires in the front office tomorrow, one day before baseball's Winter Meetings begin in Dallas. The restructuring continues, just as Dan Duquette promised after being hired as executive vice president of baseball operations. According to multiple reports, the Orioles have hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as an assistant to Duquette. A deal apparently was reached earlier this week. Another possible hire is Fred Ferreira as...

Hearing from Duquette and Teagarden

Hearing from Duquette and Teagarden
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette declined comment on reports that he's hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as a special assistant, but he had plenty to say about new catcher Taylor Teagarden. "Taylor will be 28 at the end of December and he's an established and accomplished major league catcher," Duquette said during a conference call with reporters. "He has an excellent ability to handle a pitching staff. Pitchers like throwing to him, and he's very good at...

Some FanFest information and new front office hire

Some FanFest information and new front office hire
I'll start with the front office. According to multiple reports. the Orioles have hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as an assistant to executive vice president Dan Duquette. I'll get confirmation at 5 p.m., when Duquette and new catcher Taylor Teagarden will be made available to reporters on a conference call. As for FanFest, the Orioles have scheduled the annual event for Jan. 21 at the Baltimore Convention Center. It will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early entry for...