After almost 10 years with the Cleveland Browns as the Chief Strategy Officer, Paul DePodesta is stepping into a new chapter of his career.
The Colorado Rockies announced DePodesta as their new president of baseball operations.
"We want to thank Paul for his contributions to the Cleveland Browns over the past nine and a half seasons," Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. "Paul's humble and egoless approach encouraged a culture of teamwork and collaboration. He helped modernize our research and analytics departments and his broad background in professional sports brought a different perspective to our organization. We appreciate the valued role he played in our organization as a member of our leadership team and wish him all the best in his return to Major League Baseball with the Colorado Rockies."
DePodesta was first named the Browns' Chief Strategy Officer in January 2016. During his tenure in Cleveland, DePodesta was tasked with implementing systems and processes to strengthen the Browns organization. In his role, he worked closely with Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski and members of the player development and research departments to optimize all organizational decision-making efforts.
Prior to the 2020 season, DePodesta led the processes for the Browns' search of head coach and general manager candidates. Through a thorough and strategic information gathering process that was inclusive of many members at various levels of the organization, DePodesta helped the Browns hire Berry and Stefanski. The pair have led the team to two postseason appearances and two 11-win seasons. Stefanski won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023.
DePodesta came to Cleveland after spending 20 seasons in Major League Baseball, last serving as the vice president of player development and amateur scouting with the New York Mets from 2011-15. He also spent five seasons with the San Diego Padres from 2006-10, first as a special assistant for baseball operations and then executive vice president, after serving as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2004-05.
Before his time as a general manager, DePodesta spent five years as the Assistant General Manager with the Oakland Athletics from 1999-03. He began his MLB career as an intern in player development in 1996 for the Cleveland Indians before becoming the Major League advance scout for the 1997-98 seasons and later the special assistant to the GM.
