The Baltimore Orioles named Jim Duquette vice president of baseball operations on Thursday. Duquette, who served as general manager of the New York Mets for 15? months before being replaced by Omar Minaya in September 2004, will work under executive vice president Mike Flanagan in Baltimore. Flanagan was given total control of front office decisions after Jim Beattie was fired as vice president two weeks ago. "Jim brings a wealth of experience in the daily operation of a major league baseball team, from bottom to top," Flanagan said. "He has been involved in every aspect of the baseball front office from scouting and the minors to contract negotiations and running a department."