Orioles' Duquette: 'I'm not used to being a trade rumor'

Dan Duquette, the executive vice president of the Baltimore Orioles, discussed Thursday the atypical offseason he's endured, wherein the Blue Jays reportedly tried to pry him away from Baltimore for a loftier position in Toronto.

"It's been interesting," Duquette told Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun. "I'm not used to being a trade rumor."

The Blue Jays were reportedly interested in acquiring Duquette to replace longtime president and CEO Paul Beeston, and even discussed a compensation package with the Orioles for the 56-year-old executive. 

Negotiations broke down, however, when the Blue Jays refused to part with either Jeff Hoffman or Max Pentecost - both selected in the first round of the 2014 draft - in exchange for Duquette, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Shortly after negotiations fizzled, the Blue Jays announced a one-year contract extension with Beeston. Duquette reaffirmed his commitment to the Orioles on Thursday.

"I've always done my job 24 hours a days to the best of my ability," Duquette said.