The Los Angeles Dodgers have had an unbelievable offseason revamping their roster and making it perhaps even better than the one last year that won the World Series. However, there is one major piece of business that they have yet to handle.
A contract extension for their soon-to-be Hall of Fame Manager, Dave Roberts.
There is really no doubt that it will get done, and both sides have said so repeatedly, but it still has to, well, get done.
Roberts was just on the Baseball Tonight Podcast with Buster Olney where he gave an update on the matter.
Dave Roberts Speaks On Contract Negotiation With Los Angeles Dodgers
When Olney asked about Roberts’ contract, the Dodgers manager responded:
“We have just started talking. I’m hopeful, but I’m going to focus on winning games. I’m gonna focus on, you know, getting better as a manager, getting our guys prepared for opening day for this great season, to win another championship, and hopefully everything takes care of itself. But it’s about value, I just love this organization, but you want to feel you’re valued. Absolutely,” Roberts told Olney.
With contract talks just beginning, as Roberts said, it will be interesting if a deal gets done before the season begins or if it will be an ongoing negotiation.
On his current contract, Roberts is the 11th highest-paid manager in the majors, with an annual salary of $3.25 million. Seeing what kind of cash the Dodgers have shelled out on players recently, Roberts should be in for a nice little pay raise.
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Roberts has a lifetime record of 851-507 as a manager, which is good for a .627 winning percentage. That is the highest winning percentage of any manager in league history with at least 1000 games managed.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell is currently the highest-paid manager in baseball with a 4-year, $40 million contract. Dave Roberts should surpass this and reset the manager market.