Mets add DePodesta as VP of player development
Sandy Alderson answers questions during a press conference after being introduced as the general manager for the New York Mets. (Oct. 29, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
Many teams have tried to copy the "Moneyball" model established by the A's at the turn of the century. But the Mets, in looking to reshape their front office, simply chose to buy the original pieces and assemble them in Flushing.
That process began with the hiring of general manager Sandy Alderson, a pioneer in the art of statistic-driven analysis, and has continued with the addition of J.P. Ricciardi as special assistant and now Paul DePodesta, who was announced Monday as the team's vice president of player development and amateur scouting.
DePodesta, 37, worked with Alderson for more than two years in San Diego, where he served as a special assistant for baseball operations before being promoted to an executive vice president for the Padres.
"I am thrilled to reunite with Sandy during this exciting time for the Mets," DePodesta said. "I know firsthand the type of vision and leadership he brings to a franchise. This is a tremendous opportunity to help develop a winning culture for the Mets and our fans."
With DePodesta, the Mets now have two former GMs - and a pair of Billy Beane "Moneyball" disciples - to work side-by-side with Alderson. Ricciardi spent eight years as the Blue Jays' GM before he was fired in 2009. The Dodgers hired DePodesta to be their GM in 2004 at the age of 31, making him the third-youngest GM in major-league history, but he lasted only two seasons in that role.
DePodesta began his baseball career with the Indians as a scout, and later as an assistant to GM John Hart. But he became a cult hero among the sabermetrics movement as an assistant to Beane, the A's GM, for his computer models and laptop-evaluation methods in the Michael Lewis book, "Moneyball."
"Paul has one of the top analytical minds in the game and also has a strong background in more traditional aspects of player development and amateur scouting," Alderson said. "He will help establish direction, standards and continuity in all areas of our player development domestically and internationally. Paul - working together with J.P. Ricciardi and [assistant GM] John Ricco - also will advise me generally on other matters related to baseball operations."
While the Mets have added three new front-office executives in the span of 11 days, Alderson still is in the process of interviewing candidates for the manager's job, which may take another two weeks to fill. Alderson said Monday that he will interview Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale Tuesday, followed by Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle and former Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu Wednesday.
Hale was considered among the top candidates for the Blue Jays' managerial vacancy before John Farrell was hired, but it appears the Mets are leaning toward someone will managing experience in the majors. Hurdle, who also has Mets connections, fits that criteria with his seven-plus seasons as manager of the Rockies. Wakamatsu was hired by Toronto Monday to be Farrell's bench coach, but the Blue Jays gave him permission to speak to the Mets about a possible promotion.
To this point, Alderson has interviewed five candidates for manager, with Terry Collins and Bob Melvin appearing to be the early favorites from that group.
