masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBlue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava is back in Baltimore today, meeting with owner Peter Angelos as the club draws closer to naming a new president of baseball operations.

LaCava already has interviewed once for the job, along with Jerry Dipoto, De Jon Watson and John Stockstill. Dipoto dropped off the list after being named the Angels general manager.

LaCava was the second candidate to interview for the job after Dipoto, and he’s been viewed as the most likely hire. Today’s…Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava is back in Baltimore today, meeting with owner Peter Angelos as the club draws closer to naming a new president of baseball operations.

LaCava already has interviewed once for the job, along with Jerry Dipoto, De Jon Watson and John Stockstill. Dipoto dropped off the list after being named the Angels general manager.

LaCava was the second candidate to interview for the job after Dipoto, and he’s been viewed as the most likely hire. Today’s meeting with Angelos enhances that perception.

I heard rumblings over the weekend that the Orioles could make an announcement today, but it may not come until later in the week. Those rumblings obviously were related to LaCava’s arrival here.

Either way, they’re drawing closer to naming their replacement for Andy MacPhail, whose contract expired today.

LaCava is 50 and a Pittsburgh native with an extensive background in scouting and player development. He was the Cleveland Indians’ national crosschecker when they acquired Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Lee Stevens from the Montreal Expos for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew.

LaCava joined the Blue Jays in 2002 and currently serves as their assistant GM, overseeing player development and Latin American operations. As I’ve written before, there’s nothing wrong with raiding the front office of a division rival, especially one with a top-rated farm system. And when I see “Latin American operations,” I immediately think “international market.”

The Orioles need to have their president of baseball ops in place before filling other vacancies.

No word on whether any other candidates will come to Baltimore for a first or second interview.

Follow Roch Kubatko on Twitter: @MASNRoch