While Andy Green was hired as manager of the San Diego Padres, and Dave Roberts the Los Angeles Dodgers during the same offseason, they’ve gone in vastly different directions during their time at the helm of their respective teams.
Roberts guided the Dodgers to a fourth consecutive National League West title last season, was named NL Manager of the Year, and had his club two wins away from reaching the World Series. Green managed the Padres to a 68-94, good for last place in the division and third-worst overall.
San Diego entered Monday 51-66 and saved from last place in the NL West by only a catastrophic season for the San Francisco Giants. Yet on Sunday, the Padres announced a three-year contract extension for Green.
He’s now set to be with the club through the 2021 season, which gives Green ample opportunity to see the Padres’ rebuild move along.
Roberts has the Dodgers on track for the best regular season in franchise history and within earshot of breaking the all-time record. He’s not yet been rewarded with long-term security.
That’s not of concern for Roberts, however, as he emphasized the team’s goal while reiterating he’d like to remain with the Dodgers organization, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“The season is the focus,” Roberts said. “We don’t want anything to detract from our focus.” Roberts said he hopes his Dodgers tenure extends beyond his current contract. “This is my dream job,” he said.
When the Dodgers hired Roberts as manager it was to a three-year contract with a team option for a fourth season. As it stands, that would take him through 2019.
While projecting several years into the future can prove to be a dangerous proposition, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has constructed a model aimed at success year over year. Considering Roberts’ accomplishments and reputation, he figures to remain with the team beyond his current contract.
Friedman is not keen on holding discussions over a potential extension while a season is in progress, which makes this winter a likely time for the parties to enter into negotiations.
