Paul DePodesta to Leave Cleveland Browns for Colorado Rockies Baseball Operations Role

In a surprising move, Paul DePodesta will leave his position as chief strategy officer with the Cleveland Browns to become the head of baseball operations for the Colorado Rockies, sources confirmed today.

DePodesta, known for his analytical approach to team building – famously portrayed by Jonah Hill in the film “Moneyball” – spent ten seasons with the Browns, beginning in January 2016. During his tenure, the Browns compiled a 56-99-1 record. The Rockies, who finished the 2025 season with a major-league worst 43-119 record, have now turned to DePodesta to overhaul a franchise that has endured seven consecutive losing seasons.

Discussions between DePodesta and the Rockies reportedly began about a month ago, with a key factor being ownership’s willingness to retain existing staff – a condition DePodesta apparently accepted. His arrival signals a potential shift away from the Rockies’ historically insular approach to team management. The Browns’ controversial trade for Deshaun Watson in March 2022, which involved sending three first-round picks to the Houston Texans, has been widely viewed as a pivotal moment that significantly impacted the franchise’s trajectory; owner Jimmy Haslam called it “a big swing and a miss” last spring.

DePodesta previously served as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and held roles with the Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets. The Rockies are now focused on hiring a manager and coaching staff to complete their baseball operations restructuring, and this move comes shortly after the Washington Nationals named Paul Toboni their new GM. For more on baseball front office changes, see MLB.com.

The hiring of DePodesta is expected to be finalized before the upcoming baseball general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, and officials have indicated he will begin assembling his team immediately.