Orioles manager Buck Showalter was back in town today for a meeting at the Law Office with Peter Angelos, Matt Klentak and, presumably, some other ownership personnel to discuss the search for a new general manager/VP of baseball operations. No one is saying just how much was accomplished, but the meeting allowed Angelos to get more information on the various possibilities and positioned the club to request permission to speak to a handful of potential candidates.
That process could start as early as this afternoon and go on for several days. Showalter is expected to stay in town for the rest of the week to work on finalizing the 2012 coaching staff, which might have a couple of new faces but is not expected to see dramatic turnover.
The departure of Joe Jordan was not welcomed by club officials. He was well-liked by Andy MacPhail and Showalter -- and might have stayed if there had been more certainty in the Orioles' front office -- but the fact that his job has opened could make it easier to lure a top-name GM candidate, since incoming executives generally prefer to hire their own lieutenants.
The list of GM candidates is a fluid thing, as club officials exchange ideas and look for the right fit for both Showalter and Angelos. Right now, the outside execs believed to be on the short list include Jerry DiPoto, Thad Levine, Tony LaCava, Dan Jennings, DeJon Watson, Al Avila, Tony Reagins and Logan White.
