Mets Geek » Baltimore Sun: O’s Talk to Duquette

October 15, 2005

by: Andrew Hintz on Oct 15, 2005 12:58 AM | Filed under: News

Yeah, I know it’s a couple days old, but at least this article has quotes!

“I think there is terrific potential there,” said Duquette, the Mets general manager until New York brought in Omar Minaya before the end of the 2004 season. “It’s hard to say that for [a team] coming off a 90-loss season, but my opinion - and I know the opinion in our organization - is that they have a lot of young talent, especially pitching. They can be good very soon if the right decisions are made.”

The interesting thing about the interview is Mike Flanagan nor Duquette are saying what job he’s interviewing for. It’s unlikely Duke would leave the team for the same job he’s performing with the Mets, as he is the highest paid assistant GM in baseball. Still, there will almost certainly be interest in him from the Phillies and Devil Rays as well.

11 Responses to “Baltimore Sun: O’s Talk to Duquette”

Comment posted by Andrew Hintz on October 15, 2005 at 1:04 am (#13774)
Personally, I don’t want Duquette to leave. I understand the guy wants to be General Manager, and eventually will move on, but he does a ton behind the scenes that nobody acknowledges. While Omar is excellent at scouting and convincing free agents to sign on, Duquette is his right-hand man when it comes to the financial side of the game, as well as with trades. Though they’re not Co-GM’s, it’s very similar.

The Mets need to make sure to not make the same mistake it did in the early 2000’s when key front office personnel left and they didn’t replace them. They’ll need to make sure to replace Duke with a guy with the same general qualities.
Comment posted by Chris on October 15, 2005 at 1:38 am (#13775)
I’ve noticed alot of organizations around baseball will employ former players, especially ones from their organization, as front office personal. Examples include Billy Beane in oakalnd, Ruben Amaro Jr. in Philly and Mike Flanagan in Balt. Do the Mets have anybody in thier front office that has played for the Mets previously?
Comment posted by fire willie on October 15, 2005 at 1:49 am (#13776)
I was under the perception that Duke was the main man as far as knowing the farm system. Before he was GM I remember somewhere that he was the front office consultant for minor stuff, and I thought he did well (obviously other than the VZ thing). I’d hate to see him go, but you can’t begrudge someone success. If its there for him, I hope he goes to Baltimore rather than Philly.
Comment posted by Andrew Hintz on October 15, 2005 at 2:00 am (#13777)
Do the Mets have anybody in thier front office that has played for the Mets previously?

Not anybody that’s played in the Mets organization, no. Minaya, LaRocque, Bernazard and Sandy Johnson all played organized ball to some degree.

I was under the perception that Duke was the main man as far as knowing the farm system.

That as well. Duke really knows his stuff. I don’t think he’ll be a terrific GM, but he’s definitely one of the best assistants in baseball.
Comment posted by Chris on October 15, 2005 at 2:25 am (#13778)
After reading the philly papers this week, my perception is Duqe has an outside chance there. Their number one choice is Cashman and if they can’t get him, I think Amaro will get the job. To me, I think that is their plan. When the phillies owner met with Wagner, Amaro was right beside him.
Comment posted by Jordan on October 15, 2005 at 11:51 am (#13934)
Duke would do fine with complete autonomy. Unfortunatley in Baltimore with Angelos, his situation would be no better than when he had the Wilpons breathing down his neck.

I was under the perception that Duke was the main man as far as knowing the farm system.

At this point its really Minya who knows the ins and outs of the organization, Duke is really a non-factor
Comment posted by Gregg on October 15, 2005 at 3:17 pm (#14133)
Do the Mets have anybody in thier front office that has played for the Mets previously?

Not anybody that’s played in the Mets organization, no. Minaya, LaRocque, Bernazard and Sandy Johnson all played organized ball to some degree.

Duquette was a Mets farm hand before getting to the front office.
Comment posted by Andrew Hintz on October 15, 2005 at 4:39 pm (#14134)
Duquette was a Mets farm hand before getting to the front office.

No, he never played past high school ball. Perhaps you’re thinking of Steve Phillips? JD did work in the Mets minor league system, but he never played in it.
Comment posted by Gregg on October 15, 2005 at 8:16 pm (#14141)
No, he never played past high school ball. Perhaps you’re thinking of Steve Phillips? JD did work in the Mets minor league system, but he never played in it.

I stand corrected, I absolutely was thinking of Steve Phillips.
Comment posted by Seo’s Super Secret Friend on October 15, 2005 at 11:48 pm (#14144)
You know what would be really funny? Theo Epstein, D-Rays’ GM…
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