CLEVELAND — The Browns have made an out-of-the-batter’s box hire.
Owner Jimmy Haslam has brought in Paul DePodesta, a baseball executive and analytics expert with
20 years of major league experience, to be the team’s new chief strategy officer.
Haslam, who fired coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer on Sunday night after a 3-13
season, pulled DePodesta away from the New York Mets to help the Browns’ organization with
decision-making. DePodesta, a longtime aide to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, had been the
team’s vice president of player development and amateur scouting. He helped them win the National
League pennant last season.
“We are fortunate to bring in Paul, an extremely talented, highly respected sports executive who
will add a critical dimension to our front office,” Haslam said. “His approach and ambition to find
the best pathways for organizational success transcend one specific sport, and his experience as a
high-level sports executive make him a terrific addition to the Cleveland Browns. While we are
excited about what Paul will provide our organization, we remain fully focused on the critical task
of identifying the right head coach and a top talent evaluator who will provide the football
expertise needed to be successful.”
DePodesta also will join Haslam’s committee to search for the team’s coach.
DePodesta began his baseball career as an intern with the Cleveland Indians in 1996 and became
an advance scout and special assistant to the general manager. He worked in Oakland alongside
general manager Billy Beane, whose “Moneyball” strategies — glamorized in a movie of the same title
— helped the Athletics overcome budget constraints and win. In the film, actor Jonah Hill’s
character was based on DePodesta.
DePodesta was general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 and ’05.
“Cleveland and football have always held a special place in my heart,” DePodesta said. “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 AL-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.
“My focus is to bring whatever experience and perspective I can to collaborate with the team,
with the intent of helping us make more informed and successful decisions. 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.”
Indians general manager Chris Antonetti believes DePodesta will easily make the transition into
pro football.
“Paul is a brilliant and innovative guy,” said Antonetti, who replaced DePodesta when he left
for the A’s. “He has made an impact on a number of organizations that he has been with, and he has
a really unique way of looking at things and finding ways, and (has) worked through problems and
developed innovative solutions. He is a very capable baseball executive who will have a great
impact on the Browns.”
DePodesta also worked for the San Diego Padres. He won a division title with all five teams for
which he has worked.
