Mets' DePodesta bolts for NFL job with Browns
Paul DePodesta is leaving the Mets for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. (Getty)
Mets vice president of player development and amateur scouting Paul DePodesta is leaving the team for a position with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, the Mets have confirmed.
“Cleveland and football have always held a special place in my heart,” said DePodesta in a statement. “It was 20 years ago this month, after pursing my first love of football and looking at every possible job in the NFL, that I got the biggest break I could imagine – a job offer from the American League Champion Cleveland Indians. As excited as I was then, I am even more excited now to return to Cleveland and to try to help the Browns.
“Admittedly, there will be an awful lot for me to learn, but I want nothing more than to help bring consistent, championship caliber football back to Cleveland and Browns fans and I look forward to starting right away.”
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Browns first started to pursue DePodesta shortly after the World Series, so the team’s interest has lingered for several weeks. DePodesta’s official title with the Browns will be “chief strategy officer,” and he’ll report directly to ownership.
DePodesta, 43, played both football and baseball at Harvard. He has been with the Mets since September 2010 and has been one of GM Sandy Alderson’s top lieutenants during his time in New York.
“Paul completely reorganized the Mets scouting and player development functions and had extraordinary impact on both areas, but he was also very directly involved in our trade and free agent acquisitions,” said Alderson in a statement. “His commitment to excellence and his passion for innovation will be missed by the Mets and all of baseball. I wish him well with the Browns.”
“Working with Sandy, Paul put into process a new approach toward player development throughout our organization,” added COO Jeff Wilpon. “Ownership and all of us at the Mets thank Paul for his tireless efforts. We look forward to seeing Paul’s continued success with the Browns.”
Prior to joining the Mets, DePodesta worked with the Indians, Athletics, Dodgers, and Padres in various front office capacities. He served as Dodgers GM from February 2004 to October 2005 when, at age 31, was the fifth youngest GM in baseball history at the time.
DePodesta joined assistant GM John Ricco and special assistant J.P. Ricciardi in Alderson’s leadership team. Ricco was a holdover from the Omar Minaya regime while DePodesta and Ricciardi came aboard when Alderson was hired.
The Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer a few days ago. Here are three things to know about DePodesta’s decisions to leave the Mets.
1. An executive changing sports is not unprecedented, but it is rare.
DePodesta’s move from an MLB front office to an NFL front office is obviously very rare. He’s not the first executive to change sports, however. Here are some notable executives who spent time in multiple spots:
Stan Kasten: GM and president of NBA’s Atlanta Hawks (1979-90) and president of the Braves (1986-2003), Nationals (2006-10), and Dodgers (2012-present).
Jerry Krauss: GM of NBA’s Chicago Bulls (1985-2003) and a scout with various MLB teams, including the Yankees, Mets, and White Sox (1970s and 1980s, and later the 2010s).
Lou Lamoriello: GM of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils (1987-2015) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2015) and a member on the board of Yankee Global Enterprises (2004-present).
There have been other executives who have changed sports in the middle of their careers, though DePodesta joins Kasten and Krauss as the most notable.
2. DePodesta was considered the favorite to take over as Mets GM in the future.
Although the team has never confirmed any long-term plans, DePodesta was widely considered the favorite to succeed Mets GM Sandy Alderson down the road. Alderson turned 68 in November and has been receiving treatment for cancer this offseason.
Despite a rocky stint as Dodgers GM — DePodesta was routinely mocked by the media for being too “Moneyball,” which earned him the nickname “Google Boy” — DePodesta’s moves were largely successful and he’s a very highly regarded baseball executive. He’s very bright, and despite the reputation he picked up in Los Angeles, DePodesta has both scouting and analytics in his background.
The Mets must now come up with a different succession plan for Alderson. Longtime assistant GM John Ricco is a candidate, as is special assistant J.P. Ricciardi. Ricciardi has GM experience (Blue Jays, 2001-09), Ricco does not. Outside candidates are always possible as well.
3. The Mets have to replace DePodesta in the short-term too.
The future GM aspect of this is pretty significant, but, in the short-term, the Mets have to replace DePodesta as their player development head and scouting director. The high school and college seasons will begin within the next few weeks, so someone has to be in charge coordinating efforts.
Scouting is a year-round event, though these few weeks in January are typically the slow time of year. DePodesta’s decision to leave came at a non-critical time on the scouting calendar. I couldn’t venture much of a guess as to who the Mets will bring in to replace DePodesta at his current post — they could stay internal and promote someone, or hire someone from outside — though he needs to replaced rather soon.
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