Paul DePodesta is leaving his role as executive vice president of the San Diego Padres to join general manager Sandy Alderson's front office with the New York Mets as vice president of player development and amateur scouting.
DePodesta, 37, served as GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 and '05, becoming the third-youngest executive in major league history to hold a GM role.
He is the second high-profile assistant Alderson has named since becoming GM, joining former Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi. Along with holdover Wayne Krivsky, the Mets have three former GMs working under Alderson. Krivsky was GM of the Cincinnati Reds.
"Paul has one of the top analytical minds in the game and also has a strong background in the more traditional aspects of player development and amateur scouting," Alderson said in a statement. "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."
"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."
DePodesta joined the Padres in July 2006 as special assistant for baseball operations, while Alderson served as CEO of the San Diego ballclub. DePodesta was promoted to his current position on Nov. 10, 2008.
DePodesta is known for his mathematics-based analytical skills.
He also served five seasons as assistant GM of the Oakland Athletics under Billy Beane. He launched his career as an intern with the Cleveland Indians in 1996, and also worked for that ballclub as an advance scout and special assistant.
DePodesta played baseball and football and graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1995 with an economics degree.
Adam Rubin covers the Mets for ESPNNewYork.com. You can follow him on Twitter.