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 NFL team's new chief strategy officer.
Haslam, who fired coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer on Sunday night following a 3-13 season, pulled DePodesta away from the New York Mets to help his organization with decision making. DePodesta, a longtime aide to Sandy Alderson, had been the Mets' vice president of player development and amateur scouting. He helped them win the NL title last season.