As MLB has canceled Opening Day and the first two series of the 2022 regular season due to the lockout continuing, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is using the downtime to prepare for the eventual year ahead.
Some of that has entailed holding contract extension negotiations with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, as Roberts is entering the final year on his deal. Both Friedman and Roberts have continued to downplay any concern over an extension not yet being in place.
The two also have held various talks about the roster outlook and potential transactions once a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is in place to end the lockout. Of course, Roberts is accustomed to having plenty of communication with his players but that hasn’t been feasible this offseason.
He will get to experience some normalcy with plans to attend Dodgers Minor League Spring Training at Camelback Ranch, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Roberts is planning to head to Arizona next week for the opening of minor-league camps (players not on 40-man major-league rosters are not affected by the lockout). Roberts won’t get involved in workouts but just wants to “see what’s what – put some eyes on these guys from afar.”
Dodgers prospects in camp include Maddux Bruns, Ryan Pepiot, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack and others. Those who are on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster — such as Jacob Amaya and Eddys Leonard — cannot attend until the lockout has been resolved.
Dave Roberts, Andrew Friedman are synced up
The 2022 season will mark Roberts and Friedman’s seventh working together.
The two have led the organization to tremendous success over the years, including five National League West titles, three NL pennants and one World Series championship thus far.
And while they haven’t always seen eye to eye, Roberts believes he and Friedman are usually on the same page and enjoy a strong relationship.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
