Blue Jays reportedly end pursuit of Orioles executive Dan Duquette

The Blue Jays' pursuit of Orioles executive Dan Duquette to succeed Paul Beeston as president and CEO of the team appears to be over.

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the asking price of top prospects was too much for Toronto. Duquette's contract with Baltimore runs through 2018 and even though there were indications he wanted to take the job with the Blue Jays, Orioles owner Peter Angelos refused to let him leave without heavy compensation.

Right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman, the ninth overall pick in the 2014 draft, catcher Max Pentecost, the 11th overall pick in 2014, and infielder Mitch Nay, a supplemental round selection in 2012, are believed to be the players Baltimore was targeting. The Blue Jays balked and Beeston looks set to stay onboard in his current role for the 2015 season, which fits with what Bob McCown reported on his Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio program on Wednesday. Davidi notes that Toronto was willing to offer the Orioles a package of less promising minor-leaguers to get a deal done.

With the Duquette discussions put to rest, the Blue Jays' search for Beeston's replacement continues with the 2016 season now in mind.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr