UPDATE (Nov. 22, 9:05 p.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers’ four-week long search for Don Mattingly’s replacement appears to have reached an ending with former San Diego Padres manager Dave Roberts expected to get hired.
Roberts was one of two finalists, with Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler — the perceived early favorite to get hired as the club’s next manager.
According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, the Dodgers aren’t expected formally introduce Roberts until after Thanksgiving, and his contract includes an option for a fourth year:
#Dodgers not expected to hold a news conference for Dave Roberts until after Thanksgiving.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) November 23, 2015
Source: Dave Roberts' deal with the Dodgers is for three years and will include an option for a fourth year.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) November 23, 2015
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 7:25 p.m. PT):
While the Dodgers have yet to officially announce the hire of Roberts, he is expected to join the team on a three-year contract, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports:
Dave Roberts gets a 3-year deal to be new #Dodgers manager. Press conference expected in a week after Thanksgiving holidays.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 23, 2015
When Andrew Friedman joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as president of baseball operations last November there was widespread speculation he would replace Don Mattingly with a manager of his choosing.
That expectation multiplied tenfold when Joe Maddon exercised an opt out clause in his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Friedman, however, continued to voice his support of Mattingly and stuck with him for the 2015 season, Mattingly’s fifth as manager of the Dodgers.
After a third consecutive postseason run fell short, the Dodgers and Mattingly mutually agreed to part ways on Oct. 22. Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler was immediately tapped as the favorite to become the Dodgers’ next manager.
However, as the process unfolded, former San Diego Padres bench coach Dave Roberts reportedly pulled into the lead. Now, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Roberts is expected to be named as Dodgers manager:
Dave Roberts is expected to be named the next manager of the Dodgers on Monday, according to multiple people familiar with the situation who spoke under the condition of anonymity because the hiring hasn’t been officially announced.
Roberts played parts of 10 seasons in the Majors with the Cleveland Indians (1999-2001), Dodgers (2002-04), Boston Red Sox (2004), Padres (2005-06) and San Francisco Giants (2007-08); he won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2004.
Dating back to 2010, Roberts has five years of coaching experience — three as Padres first base coach and the last two seasons as Black’s bench coach. He managed one game for the Padres on an interim basis after Black’s firing.
Roberts will inherit a club that’s fresh off of winning three consecutive National League West division titles for the first time in franchise history. Moreover, the Dodgers won at least 90 games over the last three seasons for the first time since 1976-78.
Once the hire is made official, the Dodgers will need to find new first and third base coaches, as well as a bench coach. It’s plausible Kapler will be added to the staff as bench coach, with Tim Wallach expected to join Mattingly with the Miami Marlins.
Additionally, the Dodgers also have vacancies on their athletic training staff with Stan Conte and Nancy Flynn Patterson both resigning within one month of each other.
