Dan Duquette talks about team chemistry, working the roster and more

In building a winning baseball team, you need to have plenty of talented players. That part is obvious and a given. But how do aspects like team chemistry and character of the individual players factor in?

Are they important, even if you can't put a stat on those intangibles like you can a batting average or ERA?

I asked Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette about character and team chemistry.

"That's important," he said. "I think the skills that players have are one part of the equation and the values of the organization and the culture the organization encourages is another part of the equation. When you have good players and they align their interests with the team and everyone is pulling together, you have the chance to do some really good things.

"The player's will to work and bring discipline to their job day in and day out is a key. We have a culture here that encourages winning and rewards dependability. We have good leadership too. We have good leadership with our field staff, too."

Nelson Cruz is one example of a player the Orioles acquired who has proven to be a great addition both on the field and in the clubhouse. Coming off a suspension last season, some wondered if that would be true of Cruz when the season started. But Duquette and the Orioles knew that answer.

"I knew he was a hard-working ballplayer. He played for Buck (Showalter) in Texas as young kid. He's a good role model for the young hitters on the team. Works in the strikezone, has an idea what he wants to do before he goes to the plate," Duquette said.

As for his great first half, I asked Duquette if Cruz has surprised him.

"Well, last year he was on a pace to hit 40 home runs," he said.

The Orioles seem to work their 25-man roster as well as just about any club, shuttling players back and forth between the minors and majors to try and put their best foot forward every day.

When it comes to manuevering or manipulating the roster, Duquette said the future is now. Meaning the game being played that day.

"Earl Weaver, in his book, said, 'We'll worry about today's game today and tomorrow we'll worry about tomorrow's game.' That really is an invitation to put as much of your resources and concentration into today's game," Duquette said.

"We always try to have a full complement of players and Buck (Showalter) does a nice job looking at the matchups ahead of time. We try to look at how the organization can move our collective fortunes forward one game at a time. That's an old Weaver tenet."

Duquette believes the ever-changing roster sends the right message to the clubhouse.

"I think that's the right way for the organization to go about their business. Certainly the fans want us to do everything we can to win a game and I believe the players do too," Duquette said.

"I think there is a sense of urgency that creates and it creates a certain energy with the team that is helpful. The players know we're trying and the Orioles organization is doing everything it can to have a competitive team for tonight's ballgame."

So do the Orioles outmaneuver some teams in this way?

"Oh, I don't know," Duquette said. "It's more about knowing what our strengths are about. It's more about knowing our players and how they can help us win a game."

Meanwhile, Duquette said the process of building the Orioles from within continues. The goal is to a build a year-in, year-out winner that relies mostly on home-grown players.

"I think you are starting to see that," he said. "Matt Wieters came through the farm system. Nick (Markakis) did. (Jonathan) Schoop and Manny (Machado). Caleb Joseph. Kevin Gausman. Our scouting and player development efforts are making an impact with the major league team. If we are to be good year in and year out that needs to continue and improve.

"There are always things you can do to improve but we have some real solid leadership and hard working people in our player development system. And players know if they are in our organization they are going to get a look. I think our depth in all areas, we need to continue to monitor that carefully."