Paul DePodesta Returns to MLB as Rockies Head of Baseball

The Colorado Rockies just made a gutsy move to shake up their future. They hired Paul DePodesta as their new president of baseball operations.

People know DePodesta best for his role during the “Moneyball” era with the Oakland Athletics. Now he’s back in Major League Baseball after nearly a decade working in the NFL as the Cleveland Browns’ chief strategy officer.

His arrival signals a real commitment to analytics and forward-thinking strategy. The Rockies just wrapped up the worst season in their history, so they need all the help they can get.

With years of declining performance and a roster that’s been through the wringer, DePodesta has a massive job ahead. The National League West isn’t exactly forgiving, either.

A New Era in Denver Baseball

Rockies owner Dick Monfort praised DePodesta’s analytical chops and vision. He pointed out DePodesta’s ability to rebuild organizations with a disciplined, data-driven approach.

This hire feels like more than just a swap in the front office. It’s a real philosophical shift for a franchise that’s been searching for direction.

From “Moneyball” to Mile High

DePodesta’s baseball legacy isn’t just about wins and losses. His work in Oakland, famous from the “Moneyball” story, focused on efficiency, undervalued assets, and advanced stats.

After leaving MLB, he took those same ideas to the NFL. In Cleveland, he helped guide the Browns to their first playoff appearance in almost twenty years back in 2020.

The Rockies’ front office is hoping that track record means he can bring fresh ideas to turn things around.

Rockies Struggles Reach Historic Levels

There’s no sugarcoating it: the Rockies’ performance has been historically bad. Their 2025 campaign ended with a brutal 43-119 record—the worst in franchise history.

That made it four straight seasons with at least 94 losses. The team hasn’t had a winning record since 2018.

It’s tough for fans to watch a team stuck in a rut for so long, and 2025 was a new low.

Pitching Woes and Defensive Struggles

Pitching stands out as the Rockies’ biggest problem. In 2025, they posted a league-worst 5.97 ERA and gave up a staggering 1,021 runs—the most in Major League Baseball.

Their -424 run differential says it all. For a club that calls hitter-friendly Coors Field home, fixing the pitching staff won’t be easy.

It’ll take more than tweaks—it probably means rethinking how they develop and acquire pitchers from the ground up.

The Fallout Leading to Change

DePodesta steps in during a time of serious upheaval. The Rockies let go of manager Bud Black in May, and general manager Bill Schmidt resigned after the season.

That left the team without a clear identity or leadership. Now, with DePodesta in charge, there’s at least a new direction.

Learning from NFL Experience

DePodesta’s stint in Cleveland had its share of controversy. He helped the Browns reach the playoffs, but he also oversaw the much-criticized trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Moving from football back to baseball won’t be a walk in the park. Still, fans and ownership are expecting big things from him this time around.

The Road Ahead: Building a Contender

Let’s be real—rebuilding the Rockies is a huge task and it’ll take time. DePodesta’s approach focuses on finding undervalued players, using advanced analytics, and fixing development pipelines.

Whether that brings quick results or takes years, it’s clear the Rockies need both stability now and real growth for the future.

Key areas DePodesta must address:

• Revamping the pitching staff: Colorado needs to find pitchers who can handle the wild conditions at Coors Field.
• Data-driven roster construction: The team should use analytics to spot talent that other franchises might miss.
• Strengthening player development: They’ve got to build a farm system that actually produces MLB-ready players, not just prospects who stall out.
• Cultural reset: The clubhouse could use a real sense of accountability and unity after years of instability.

DePodesta has made a name for himself by finding value where others overlook it. The Rockies hope his knack for analytics and big-picture thinking can spark the same kind of turnaround in Denver that “Moneyball” did in Oakland.

It’s a tough road ahead, no doubt. But DePodesta’s arrival gives Rockies fans a reason to believe—maybe, just maybe, his vision can lift the team out of its rut and into something far better.

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Here is the source article for this story: Browns’ Paul DePodesta returning to MLB as Rockies’ head of baseball operations