Camila Sosa
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the big favorites to take everything in MLB this year, and their manager Dave Roberts knows that well. So confident does he feel about his opportunities this season that he’s not afraid to say it in the media explicitly.
Beyond that, his renewal was one of the last issues that did not have clarity in the environment of the Los Angeles franchise, but all that came to an end today when the contract extension that had been so much rumored was confirmed.
With their previous deal expiring after the 2022 season, the Dodgers decided to continue betting on Roberts to lead them to another championship in the next three years by agreeing to extend his contract until at least 2025. However, there are no details about an increase in his current salary ($6,500,000 USD). Although it took time, no news had been found about Los Angeles wanting to change the roles of its leader in the clubhouse, and the same 49-year-old veteran seemed confident of managing to continue with the organization.
In an appearance during The Dan Patrick Show, the Dodgers coach couldn’t be more direct and declared himself the next winner of the 2022 World Series without a doubt.
“We’re going to win the World Series in 2022. I know where you’re going with that and we’ll win the World Series this year, put it in writing. If our rotation (starter) stays healthy, we will certainly win (the World Series).”
Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Even after losing Corey Seager, Max Scherzer and Kenley Jansen in free agency, the Angels retained their legendary ace Clayton Kershaw and also secured the services of a reigning major league champion, first baseman Freddie Freeman, thus retaining perhaps the best lineup in all of MLB in terms of offense. Along with Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles has a luxury roster that almost the entire league would have difficulty trying to match in terms of payroll.
As for the rotation, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw are the main players that will take the lead for the Dodgers this season. Besides, there are several options to occupy the last places such as Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Tony Gonsolin, David Price and perhaps Dustin May. It is not yet known what will happen with the situation of Trevor Bauer, who would further shield the Los Angeles starting rotation.
Roberts joined the team in November 2015, relieving Don Mattingly of his position and so far no one has been able to replace him from his position, securing five divisional titles in six seasons, a Manager of the Year award in 2016 and most importantly, the 2020 World Series (defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games) after losing two consecutive events in 2017 and 2018 to the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox respectively.
Shortly after starting the new major league campaign, Roberts will agree that if his season does not reach the World Series, the best for him would be to stay as close as possible to having taken part of it, because his contract extension does not ensure his permanence in the team if he does not perform well.
