Big expectations and being a target are nothing new to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. In the past, players have openly discussed the pressure the team puts on itself and how anything less than hoisting a World Series trophy would mean failure.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is also no stranger to outside noise surrounding his ballclub and the expectations of both fans and media alike to win the final game of the season each year. But the 2024 Dodgers have sent that into overdrive with the signings of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with trading for Tyler Glasnow among other additions.
Roberts delivered his first message of Spring Training to the entire Dodgers clubhouse on Wednesday, and made it be known what is to be expected this season.
“I think it was just more of the mindset of appreciating the fact that we’ve got a talented roster, but it’s up to us to go out there and play good baseball, get better each day and embrace the idea that people are coming after us,” Roberts said.
While the expectations for the Dodgers remain the same, pressure has seemingly increased with the front office committed to spending more than $1 billion this past offseason. It’s a fact the ninth-year skipper is certainly well aware of.
“Every year, when you wear the Dodger uniform, people are gunning for you. And that’s a sign of respect. But certainly this past offseason, obviously what happened as far as the signings and things like that, there’s maybe a little bit of a bigger bullseye,” Roberts acknowledged.
However, Roberts believes there is something to be gained by embracing the fact and using that feeling to keep an attacking mindset on the field.
How will Dodgers manage expectations come postseason?
Until proven otherwise, this season’s team should have no problems managing their lofty expectations. To his credit, Roberts has proven more than adept at guiding his team to a very successful regular season despite immense pressure.
In the past three seasons, the Dodgers have the most wins in the Majors with 317 and reached the century mark each year during that span.
The problem has been the Dodgers’ well-documented struggles to maintain that level of play once the calendar flips to October.
It’s a reality multiple players have acknowledged, with Mookie Betts among those to note he specifically needs to improve in the postseason to help the Dodgers achieve their ultimate goal.
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