The Cleveland Guardians might not spend like the big-market clubs, but they’ve quietly become one of the most respected organizations in Major League Baseball - and not just for what they do on the field. Their ability to develop talent, think creatively, and stay competitive on a tight budget has made them a go-to pipeline for front offices and coaching staffs across the league.
That reputation took center stage again this week, as the Colorado Rockies announced they’re hiring Nicky Schmidt as their new Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer - a newly created position designed to help reshape the business side of the franchise. Schmidt spent the last 14 years with the Guardians, most recently serving as Senior VP of Organizational Strategy and Business Analytics.
This move is the latest in a growing trend: teams looking to tap into the Guardians’ well of innovation and strategic thinking. From Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro making the jump to executive roles elsewhere, to coaches like Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa being hired away, Cleveland’s influence continues to spread throughout the league. Now, Schmidt becomes the latest high-level departure - and her new role in Colorado could mark a turning point for a franchise that’s been stuck in neutral.
With the Rockies, Schmidt will oversee ticketing, merchandise, and corporate partnerships, reporting directly to Executive VP Walker Monfort. And Monfort didn’t hold back in praising the hire.
“Nicky is an exceptional and innovative leader with a deep understanding of the modern sports business,” Monfort said. “By creating this position and bringing her on board, we are continuing to strengthen the foundation of our organization and are positioning ourselves to grow, evolve, and deliver the type of product our fans deserve.”
That’s not just lip service. During her time in Cleveland, Schmidt led efforts across strategy, data science, business intelligence, brand marketing, and consumer insights - a wide-ranging portfolio that helped transform both the Guardians’ internal structure and the fan experience at Progressive Field.
She played a key role in the club’s rebrand from Indians to Guardians in 2022, and her fingerprints are all over the ballpark upgrades that have modernized the fan experience. The right-field shipping containers?
Gone - replaced with a standing bar. The tarped-off section in left?
Now a sleek new lounge. These aren’t just cosmetic changes; they’re part of a broader effort to make the Guardians’ brand feel fresh, fan-focused, and forward-thinking.
And now, Schmidt heads west to a Rockies team that’s in desperate need of that kind of vision. Colorado is coming off a brutal 119-loss season - the worst in franchise history - and has long been criticized for its insular approach to both baseball operations and business strategy.
But signs of change are starting to show. In addition to Schmidt’s hire, the Rockies made headlines by bringing in Paul DePodesta as President of Baseball Operations.
DePodesta, famously portrayed in Moneyball, was most recently with the Cleveland Browns and brings a deep background in analytics and organizational innovation. He beat out other candidates, including Guardians assistant GM Matt Forman, for the job.
The Rockies aren’t just tinkering - they’re swinging big. And by targeting proven leaders from one of baseball’s smartest organizations, they’re signaling a desire to finally modernize how they operate.
Of course, turning around a 119-loss team won’t happen overnight. But with Schmidt and DePodesta in the fold, Colorado is betting on a new kind of leadership - one built on data, creativity, and long-term vision. Whether that translates into wins remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the Guardians’ blueprint continues to shape the future of baseball, one hire at a time.