Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is coming off one of the most impressive managerial jobs in baseball history, which ended with the eighth World Series title for the historic franchise.
It was Roberts’ second championship as the Dodgers’ skipper and third fourth time leading them to the World Series in his nine seasons. He was also named the Baseball America 2024 Manager of the Year to cap it all off.
Roberts now enters his 10th season as the Dodgers’ manager on the final year of his contract. But the two sides are expected to work out a new deal this offseason, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
The Dodgers are expected to negotiate a lucrative contract extension with their longtime skipper this offseason, ahead of what would be the final year of the three-year extension he inked in 2022.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell is currently the highest-paid skipper with a five-year deal worth $40 million, an average annual value of $8 million. Roberts, who has a case as one of the best managers in MLB history, should top that.
Roberts last signed a three-year extension with the Dodgers in March 2022, which carried a reported salary of around $3.25 million.
The Dodgers have not held conversations with Roberts about an extension yet, but general manager Brandon Gomes previously said they hope to get a deal done and expect Roberts to be their manager for “as long as we can see out.”
Roberts has also expressed his interest in staying with the club and hopes to manage the Dodgers for his entire career, which already has a strong foundation for a Hall of Fame candidacy.
Roberts has a winning percentage of .627 and a postseason winning percentage of .560. Among managers since 1950, no one has a higher winning percentage.
New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone is the next closest active manager with a .584 win percentage.
Among managers with at least nine seasons at the helm, only Vic Harris won a higher percentage of games (.663), which he accomplished from 1936-1948 in the Negro League.
Roberts is on track to reach 1,000 career wins by the 2026 season as he is just 149 away, a feat that has only been accomplished by 66 men in history.
The modern record for wins by a manager is held by Tony La Russa with 2,884 over a 35-year career. At his current pace, Roberts would win 3,309 over 35 years.
The record for most wins by a manager is held by Connie Mack with 3,371 over a 53-year career from 1894-1950. To tie him, it would take Roberts 39 total seasons, or 30 more, at his current pace.
Roberts is also the sixth-winningest manager in the postseason in MLB history with 56 wins, trailing Bruce Bochy (27 years) by one for the top spot among active skippers.
Of managers with at least 34 postseason wins in their career, all have managed for 22 years or more, except Roberts.
To put some perspective on Roberts’ success, Joe Torre holds the record with 84 postseason wins over 29 years managed. If Roberts keeps winning at his current pace, he would finish a 29-year career with 180.
Dodgers prioritizing roster over Dave Roberts contract
Extension talks with Roberts could begin soon as the Dodgers previously told him they were going to focus on building their roster first. With the majority of their offseason work done and Spring Training beginning in roughly six weeks, an extension should be at the forefront of their minds.
There are a few potential moves the Dodgers could end up making, such as additional bullpen help, rotation and position player depth, and clearing up some 40-man spots, but the heavy lifting is done with Blake Snell, Teoscar Hernández, Michael Conforto and Blake Treinen signed this offseason.
Their pursuit of Roki Sasaki will also take priority above all else, but he is unable to sign until Jan. 15.
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