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Orioles Executive Vice President Of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette Discusses The Orioles And Hopes For The Rest Of The Season

Dan Duquette, the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Baltimore Orioles, joined the Norris and Davis Show on Baltimore's 105-7 THE FAN Tuesday morning to discuss a search for another batter in the lineup.  He says it is going to be a little more challenging to pick someone up because people have to pass through waivers before they are allowed to be taken.  He hopes Wilson Betemit is able to come back up to the team to help the team in their push for the postseason.  Duquette then mentions that Mark Reynolds saw more opportunity with the Yankees, even though the Orioles did have some interest in bringing him back to the team.

When asked about Alfonso Soriano's recent hot streak, Duquette brings up the no-trade clause in Soriano's contract, saying the only play he would go was New York.  Duquette tells that the Orioles made some waiver claims, but he hopes people within the organization can help make the push for the postseason.

Duquette transitions to talk about Jim Johnson, saying he has not been as consistent with his sinker this year, which was his go-to pitch last year when he saved 51 games in 54 attempts.  Duquette then talks about the frustration of last night's 4-3 loss to the Rays, saying the entire team needs to work better.  He says the Orioles can make some great defensive plays if the pitchers were able to keep the ball in the park.

Duquette is then asked about what he expects from the team come the start of September.  Duquette tells that he expects Henry Urrutia to be back on the squad, citing his serious power.  He also mentions how well Kevin Gausman has been performing with AAA-Norfolk.

Duquette tells that Buck Showalter is a veteran manager and knows how to use players, so he just uses the players that Duquette and the rest of the front office pick up.  He mentions that the team has had some problems this season with letting leads slip away towards the end of the game, but brings up the potential wins leading the team late into the postseason.  Duquette believes that these next few weeks are probably going to make or break the team, but they are up for the challenge.

Duquette says we probably will not see Jason Hammel, who is currently on the DL, back to playing shape before September 1.  He doesn't think we will see Tsuyoshi Wada either, but tells that Wada has been performing very well so far this season.

Orioles Executive Vice President Of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette Discusses The Orioles And Hopes For The Rest Of The Season

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