Negotiations between the Blue Jays and Orioles for the services of executive Dan Duquette never really even got off the ground.
The Blue Jays have quashed discussions between the teams that would have allowed Duquette, Baltimore's general manager, to become president and CEO in Toronto, according to Sportsnet Canada.
The Orioles' asking price of three top prospects in return for Duquette, whose contract runs through 2018, was a non-starter for the Blue Jays. Instead, they preferred to adhere to precedent, similar to when the Cubs sent pitcher Chris Carpenter to the Red Sox in exchange for general manager Theo Epstein in 2011.
Baltimore reportedly sought promising right-hander Jeff Hoffman, the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft; catcher Max Pentecost, the 11th overall pick in 2014; infielder Mitch Nay and more from Toronto.
Contrary to earlier reports by ESPN, the hypothetical deal never became more than that in the eyes of Blue Jays executives, according to Sportsnet. Toronto never offered a player as compensation and gave no consideration to Baltimore's demands, the report said, adding that the Blue Jays would prefer a search for a Plan B to paying a steep price for Duquette.