This email was just sent out by the Mets.
METS NAME PAUL DEPODESTA
VICE PRESIDENT, PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & AMATEUR SCOUTING
FLUSHING, N.Y., November 8, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that Paul DePodesta has been named Vice President, Player Development & Amateur Scouting. DePodesta, a 15-year Major League Baseballveteran, was most recently an Executive Vice President for the San Diego Padres. He will report to Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson.
“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,” said Alderson. “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 John Ricco – also will advise me generally on other matters related to baseball operations.”
Alderson and DePodesta worked together in San Diego for two-and-a-half years. DePodesta joined the Padres in July 2006 as a Special Assistant for Baseball Operations before being promoted to Executive Vice President in November 2008.
“I am thrilled to reunite with Sandy during this exciting time for the Mets,” said the 37-year-old DePodesta. “I know first-hand 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.”
At age 31, DePodesta became the third-youngest General Manager in major-league history when the Los Angeles Dodgers appointed him Executive Vice President and General Manager in February 2004. That season Los Angeles won the National League West Division title, marking the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 1996.
DePodesta began his baseball career as an intern with the Cleveland Indians in 1996 and served as an Advance Scout from 1997-1998. He was promoted to Special Assistant to General Manager John Hart in October 1998.
From 1999-2003, DePodesta spent five seasons as the Assistant General Manager for the Oakland Athleticshelping GM Billy Beane in player acquisitions and contract negotiations.
DePodesta, a native of Alexandria Va., graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1995 with a degree in Economics. He also played baseball and football for the Crimson.
Last week, the Mets hired Ricciardi, former General Manager with the Toronto Blue Jays, as Special Assistant to the General Manager.
STATEMENT FROM METS GM SANDY ALDERSON ON METS MANAGER SEARCH
On Saturday, I had good meetings in California with Wally Backman, Terry Collins, and Chip Hale to discuss the Mets Manager position. I am scheduled to interview DeMarlo Hale tomorrow at Citi Field and on Wednesday meet with Clint Hurdle and Don Wakamatsu.
