Paul DePodesta, the analytics pioneer immortalized in Moneyball, is making a dramatic return to Major League Baseball as the new head of baseball operations for the Colorado Rockies. The move comes after nearly a decade in the NFL, where DePodesta served as chief strategy officer for the Cleveland Browns—a tenure marked by both innovation and controversy.
A Shocking Shift: From NFL Strategy to MLB’s Toughest Challenge
The Rockies’ decision to hire DePodesta, 52, signals a radical shift for a franchise desperate for change. The team is coming off a disastrous 43–119 season, narrowly avoiding the modern MLB record for losses. Bill Schmidt, the previous general manager, stepped down at the end of the 2025 season, leaving a leadership vacuum that DePodesta is now expected to fill.
DePodesta’s hiring is expected to be finalized as soon as Friday, just ahead of the MLB General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. Sources say he will have broad authority to reshape the Rockies’ front office and baseball operations, with additional hires likely on the horizon.
The Moneyball Legacy Returns
DePodesta is best known for his role as assistant to Billy Beane with the Oakland Athletics, where he helped revolutionize baseball with a data-driven approach to player evaluation and team-building. His work during the “Moneyball” era led the A’s to four straight postseason appearances from 2000 to 2003 and inspired the Oscar-nominated film, where DePodesta was portrayed by Jonah Hill.
After his success in Oakland, DePodesta served as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and held executive roles with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets. Despite a less successful stint with the Dodgers, his reputation as a forward-thinking executive remained intact.
NFL Experiment: Mixed Results in Cleveland
DePodesta’s move to the NFL in 2016 stunned the sports world. Tasked with bringing analytics to the Browns, he became a trusted adviser to owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. However, his exact responsibilities were often shrouded in mystery, and the team’s record during his tenure—56-99-1—left much to be desired.
One of the most controversial moments came with the Browns’ blockbuster trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson, a move now widely regarded as a failure. While DePodesta was not directly responsible for personnel decisions, he was part of the senior leadership team that approved the deal, which cost the Browns three first-round picks and left them with a massive financial commitment.
Why the Rockies Chose DePodesta
The Rockies’ decision to hire DePodesta is seen as a bold attempt to inject new thinking into a franchise that has struggled to compete in recent years. His track record of using analytics to find undervalued talent and build competitive teams on a budget aligns with the Rockies’ needs, especially after their historic collapse in 2025.
Industry insiders believe DePodesta’s experience across both baseball and football gives him a unique perspective on organizational strategy, player development, and the integration of data into decision-making. The Rockies are betting that his innovative mindset can help them rebuild from the ground up.
What’s Next for the Rockies—and DePodesta
DePodesta is expected to make immediate changes to the Rockies’ front office and player development systems. With the MLB General Managers Meetings just days away, all eyes will be on how he approaches his first major test in Denver.
For Rockies fans, the hiring offers a glimmer of hope after years of frustration. For DePodesta, it’s a chance to prove that the
Moneyball magic can work in Colorado—and that his unconventional career path has prepared him for baseball’s toughest turnaround job.
Stay tuned: The Rockies’ gamble on Paul DePodesta could reshape not just their future, but the entire landscape of MLB front offices.
Sources
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