The former general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, Dan Duquette, took issue with a report in the Baltimore Sun. The article described the state of the Orioles organization when Mike Elias became the general manager in 2018. Duquette responded with a detailed letter to the newspaper, contesting the characterization.

Duquette’s Defense of His Tenure:

Duquette highlighted several achievements during his seven-year tenure. These included overcoming a long losing streak and reaching the playoffs in his second year. Under Duquette, the Orioles had the best regular-season record in the American League during his first five seasons. He emphasized the failed contract for Chris Davis was not his decision.

Duquette refuted the notion the organization was a ‘mess’ and pointed out the strength of its analytical infrastructure. He mentioned specific personnel who advanced their careers after leaving Baltimore.

Key Players Retained:

Duquette detailed the players he left for Elias, crediting this foundation for the shorter rebuild after Elias took over. The team struggled initially but improved faster than expected.

Ownership and Organizational Changes:

The Orioles faced ownership transitions during Duquette’s time. Elias introduced significant changes in the scouting and analytics departments, increasing their size and resources.

Recent Ownership Issues:

In January 2023, legal disputes arose within the Angelos family regarding finances and control. These conflicts led to notable shifts in ownership, culminating with billionaire David Rubenstein acquiring the team in 2024.

Duquette’s letter stressed the complexities surrounding the team when Elias took charge. Despite differing opinions and challenges, the organization evolved with new leadership.

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