Not long ago, I wrote how openings in the Orioles' front office and scouting department were viewed as having tremendous appeal by a significant number of people in the industry. The delays in making hires weren't based on a lack of interest. To follow up on it, I talked to someone over the weekend who used the term "a goldmine" to describe the situation. Not "a landmine," which illustrates how the perception of the job has changed over the years. One reason for the positive outlook is...

Not long ago, I wrote how openings in the Orioles' front office and scouting department were viewed as having tremendous appeal by a significant number of people in the industry. The delays in making hires weren't based on a lack of interest.

To follow up on it, I talked to someone over the weekend who used the term "a goldmine" to describe the situation. Not "a landmine," which illustrates how the perception of the job has changed over the years.

One reason for the positive outlook is that the future head of baseball operations has been assured that he's going to have full authority over the other hires and will be able to implement his vision of the rebuild, which has been detailed in interviews with John and Louis Angelos. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. Put your own stamp on the organization.

This is exactly what the candidates want to hear.

This is exactly how it needs to be done.

Also, people in the industry talk about the level of qualified personnel that's available to the Orioles beyond the top hire, including executives who have interviewed and scouts who can upgrade the professional, amateur and international departments - whether they're on the market or have the freedom to leave their current teams.

The feeling is that the Orioles can get an impressive haul and really do this thing the right way. Not to the point of being in contention in 2019, but going in the right direction and strengthening the organization for many years ahead, one block at a time.

Someone else in the industry understands why the Orioles are being so methodical in the hiring process, saying the only urgency should be in getting it right. This is true, but there's also the risk of missing out on some of the better candidates who feel pressured to take the offers in front of them.

Former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and former Red Sox GM Ben Cherington appear to be the highest-profile candidates based on experience and being fits for a president title. And I'm going to assume, without sitting in on the interviews, that they share a similar vision for rebuilding.

Wouldn't everyone hammer home the need to increase the team's presence internationally and scouting staff? To build up the analytics department?

I've been asked whether both men could be hired - one as president and the other in a GM type roll. It seems unlikely in part due to their salaries, and also how it would seem awkward for one of them to be serving in an assistant role.

Colletti's last meeting with ownership took place in early October. Other known candidates include Ned Rice, Peter Woodfork, Mike Elias and Tyrone Brooks. Scott Sharp has been in contact with the Angelos brothers but didn't have a face-to-face meeting, from what I've heard.

No one has been offered the job. I'm also asked whether the Orioles already made a hire and that person is pulling the strings behind the scenes. Absolutely not.

The Orioles could announce their first hire later this week. That's the word on the street.

* The Manager of the Year in both leagues will be announced tonight on MLB Network and BBWAA.com.

I had a vote in the American League, which can't be revealed until later. Ballots had to be submitted before the postseason.

Boston's Alex Cora, Oakland's Bob Melvin and Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash are the finalists. That sounds right - though not necessarily in that order.

Rookies of the Year were announced last night. Cy Young Award winners are revealed on Wednesday and Most Valuable Players on Thursday. I won't be glued to my television.

* Left-hander Chris Lee lasted only 3 1/3 innings yesterday for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League, allowing two runs and four hits with one walk and five strikeouts to raise his ERA to 3.05. He also hit a batter.

Lee threw 49 of 80 pitches for strikes.

Tanner Chleborad let an inherited runner score after replacing Lee, but he also struck out four batters in 1 2/3 innings and is carrying a 1.46 ERA.

The Orioles must set their 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft by Nov. 20. They can add players from outside the organization past the deadline, but no one in their system.

Lee isn't likely to be protected. Dillon Tate will be added to the 40-man roster, which currently is full.

* In case you missed it, former Dodgers pitcher Ken Howell passed away over the weekend. He was 57.

An MLB.com report mentioned that Howell continued to work for the Dodgers until the beginning of 2015, "when complications from diabetes took on a bigger role in his life."

Howell had a brief but significant tie to the Orioles. He was included in the Eddie Murray trade on Dec. 4, 1988, with the Orioles also obtaining shortstop Juan Bell and pitcher Brian Holton for the future Hall of Famer. Four days later, the Orioles flipped Howell to the Phillies for outfielder Phil Bradley.

Rookie pitcher Gordon Dillard also went to the Phillies in the deal and I doubt that many of you remember his inclusion.

Bradley appeared in 216 games with the Orioles before they traded him to the White Sox for Ron Kittle on July 30, 1990. He batted .275/.360/.393 with 32 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs and 81 RBIs in 963 plate appearances and was the left fielder on the "Why Not?" team.

Don't get me started on Kittle.