The Rockies are hiring Paul DePodesta as their new front office leader, report Ken Rosenthal, Brittany Ghiroli and Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Thomas Harding of MLB.com first reported that DePodesta was a strong candidate, while ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted shortly before The Athletic report that the sides were close to a deal.
It’s a stunning hire. DePodesta has worked with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns for a decade. He has not been the general manager with the Browns. His relatively vague title has been chief strategy officer. DePodesta has worked under a few general managers in Cleveland — the past five of which have come under executive vice president and GM Andrew Berry. He has seemingly held a high-ranking scouting/player acquisition position without ever having the top spot in football operations.
The Browns have made the playoffs twice in the past eight years and are coming off a 3-14 season that had them in last place in the AFC North. They’re currently 2-6 and at the bottom of the division as they’re amidst another rebuild.
More to come.
