LAS VEGAS — Paul DePodesta, having navigated away from baseball inquiries for five years following his move to the Cleveland Browns, has now embraced the challenge of transforming the Colorado Rockies into a competitive franchise. Just four days after his appointment as president of baseball operations, DePodesta expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity.
“It had to be the right situation,” DePodesta stated on Tuesday, highlighting the significance of challenges, ownership dynamics, geographical considerations, and the potential collaborators he might work with. His decision arose from careful contemplation of these factors.
DePodesta’s impressive resume includes prominent roles within the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets. In January 2016, he joined the Browns as their chief strategy officer, steering the football team’s strategic framework.
Taking over the Rockies, DePodesta inherits a team that faced significant struggles last season, recording a disheartening 119 losses. The Rockies have not achieved a winning record since 2018 and have yet to capture a World Series title, with their only National League pennant coming in 2007, which was followed by a four-game World Series defeat to the Boston Red Sox.
At the Major League Baseball’s general managers meetings, DePodesta emphasized the importance of fostering positive relationships with players. “I think probably the most important thing for me is being a great relationship manager with the players,” he remarked, indicating a focus on cultivating a strong clubhouse culture alongside essential game strategies.
DePodesta surged to recognition in the baseball world with his forward-thinking analytics approach, inspiring character portrayal in the film “Moneyball.” At just 31, he was appointed general manager of the Dodgers, although his tenure lasted only 20 months. After his stints with the Padres and Mets, he shifted to the NFL, where the Browns’ performance during his time has yielded a combined record of 56-99-1.
The departure from the Browns comes after a five-year contract signed in 2020, during which DePodesta initially anticipated a shorter tenure. Under his guidance, the Browns achieved a playoff berth in the 2020 season but struggled to maintain that success in subsequent years.
Reflecting on his transition back to baseball, DePodesta shared, “Really, the last four years, I started thinking about what might be next.” Despite stepping away, he maintained connections with friends across various MLB front offices and stayed informed about baseball issues while immersed in the NFL world.
This new chapter for DePodesta represents not only a homecoming to baseball but also an opportunity to reshape the narrative for a Rockies team longing for success. With his rich background and a clear focus on nurturing relationships, he aims to usher in a promising era for the Rockies.