Update: I probably just missed this detail when I typed this up, but the New York Yankees granted the Baltimore Orioles permission to interview Damon Oppenheimer.
Two New York Yankees executives – Damon Oppenheimer (Director of Amateur Scouting) and Billy Eppler (Director of Pro Scouting) – were interviewed by the Los Angeles Angels, but were eventually passed over in favor of Jerry Dipoto. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the news and I imagine many New York Yankees fans shared the same selfish reaction. Damon Oppenheimer and Billy Eppler are two important pieces of the New York Yankee organization and play a key role in the team’s ability to contend for World Series titles year in, year out. Unfortunately, New York Yankees fans (the selfish ones among us, at least) will have to hold their breath again because the Baltimore Orioles contacted the organization for permission to interview Oppenheimer and, according to Buster Olney, they have interest in Eppler as well.
This is not a surprise. The O’s are having trouble filling their general manager opening and have already had two candidates turn the job down. Not only that, but Eppler and Oppenheimer are clearly making a name for themselves around the league and it is only a matter of time before one or both of them take a GM job elsewhere. In this case though, I’d like to see the Yankees decline the O’s request for permission. Sure, part of it is just pure selfishness. I want all the great minds that the Yanks have to stay in the Bronx. It is also because the Orioles compete in the same division with the Yankees. I don’t want to see a former Yankee exec building the Orioles into a contender and threatening the Yanks for years to come. Additionally, from the little bit that I’ve read and gathered over the years, the Orioles job does not seem like a good gig. Sure, you and I would love it, but you have to imagine that Oppenheimer and Eppler will be considered for much better situations in the near future.
The time will come when the New York Yankees have to watch their up-and-coming executives move on to bigger roles. For now though, the New York Yankees should tell the Baltimore Orioles to look elsewhere for their new general manager.
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