Jim Duquette
Jim Duquette
James "Jim" Duquette was the general manager of the New York Mets for the 2004 season, before the team replaced him with Omar Minaya. Duquette subsequently stayed with the Mets in a front office job for a full season before moving on to the Baltimore Orioles. With the Orioles former vice president of baseball operations, where he worked under Mike Flanagan, the team's general manager...
believe change close diego family heart hold league los national player reasons san trips
We got hold of the player, and the player said he had a change of heart and for family reasons wanted to play in the National League because of the trips to San Diego and Los Angeles, which are close to home. I'll believe that over the other one.
ethic players potential reach whatever work
We've had players with potential before, but not with the work ethic that they have. The thing about these two is that you know that whatever their potential is, they're going to reach it.
good league major obviously player proven record situation sure talking track
Obviously we've been talking to him for a while, and thought we had a pretty good opportunity. I'm not sure about the other opportunities he was weighing vs. ours. He's a proven major league player that's had a track record and really it's a no-risk situation for the club.
coming feeling minor normally player potential risk worthwhile
Obviously, he's coming off a down year, and normally you don't get a player who has his potential for two minor leaguers. In fact, you never do. Our feeling was it was a worthwhile risk for us to take.
dealing experience fact length player type victim
I think we are a victim of the fact that (Simon) has only one (client). He's had only one player for the length of his career, and he doesn't have a lot of experience dealing with this type of language.
added business cliff develop ease guy guys mike player pressure york
What you don't want to do is put too much pressure on them, too much added expectations. They had enough expectations in New York. I don't know if you can ever ease a player into the New York scene. It's something that a guy like Carlos Beltran, Mike Piazza, Cliff Floyd, they can take the pressure off the two young guys so they can go about their business and develop at their own pace.
daughter game ideal name player
He's the ideal player you'd want your daughter to date. I can name you some in this game I wouldn't want a daughter to date.
believe benefit player
I'll believe what the player said and give him the benefit of the doubt.
critical happened indicative last million payroll players scouting using veteran
I think a $70 million payroll can be more than competitive, which is indicative of what happened last year. If you are in the $70 (million) to $80 million range, you can do it the right way, with a combination of veteran players and using players from within. But your scouting and player development are critical in doing it.
advice based guaranteed health offer willing
We weren't willing to make a guaranteed five-year offer, that was based on the advice of our doctors, ... Our offer was predicated on the health concern.
chris closer guy maybe serious transition until
We dabbled with getting a guy who could maybe be a transition closer until Chris could take over, but we were never really all that serious because we really feel like he's our guy.
conclude deal negotiate plan tender time
Because of time constraints we weren't able to conclude a deal with Scott Strickland to tender him a contract. We still plan to negotiate with him.
direction leaving moving situation turned
Obviously, I'm leaving a situation that has turned around and is moving in the right direction,
base form present themselves
I think we look at him a little differently in that there's a possibility he can play a little first base and give him a little more versatility. Right now, we feel that he'll still be an outfielder. You just never know in this game. When opportunities present themselves, they don't always present themselves in the form you're expecting.