After falling short in the World Series for a second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Dodgers went into the offseason with notable deadlines. One of which involved manager Dave Roberts and his future with the organization.
Roberts went into the season with only one year remaining on his contract — and a club option for 2019 at that. Roberts and Dodgers discussed an extension during Spring Training and into the regular season before tabling talks so the focus could remain on the field.
There wasn’t any doubt expressed throughout the year on whether an agreement would be reached. That held true during the offseason, even as talks reportedly reached a bit of a hold and were set off to the side.
Nearly one month after exercising their team option by the deadline to do so, the sides agreed to a four-year extension. Despite the drawn-out process, Roberts spoke positively of the situation during an appearance the “Petros and Money show,” via AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
“It’s one of those things that you know ultimately is going to get done. I think for us, we were kind of synced up that there were other things that took precedent. No. 1 being the 2018 baseball season. Now you’re trying to backfill coaches and things like that. It was very seamless and I couldn’t be happier.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman regularly dismissed the notion that there was any trouble or cause for concern as the days passed without a new contract in place for Roberts. Friedman explained negotiations were tabled simply due to the organization’s departures.
The Dodgers filled out the coaching vacancies that were created but have yet to hire a general manager to replace Farhan Zaidi.
