The 2016 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers was widely considered to be a successful one under first-year manager Dave Roberts. He guided the club to a fourth consecutive National League West title in which the Dodgers won at least 90 games.
Roberts had a tough task in his first season as a manager, as the Dodgers placed an MLB record 28 different players on the disabled list. That resulted in the team using 55 different players and 31 pitchers, both of which tied franchise records.
Los Angeles came back from a 2-1 series deficit to defeat the Washington Nationals in the NL Division Series, and only finished two wins shy of reaching the World Series. Roberts was rewarded for his work by being named NL Manager of the Year.
The quest to build on that success begins Wednesday, with Dodgers pitchers and catchers reporting to Camelback Ranch for the start of Spring Training.
Roberts expressed his excitement to get camp underway and head into a second season as manager, via Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
#Dodgers Dave Roberts on opening spring camp Wed.: "It’s hard to imagine being more excited going into spring training than I was (cont)
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 14, 2017
Roberts cont "last year. But I think I am. The uncertainty of (his 1st year as mgr) is behind me. Now you’re just kind of looking fwd to it"
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 14, 2017
The Dodgers enjoyed a successful offseason, headlined by the re-signings of key free agents Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner. Los Angeles is also said to have agreed to terms with Franklin Gutierrez, Sergio Romo and Chase Utley.
On the trade front, the Dodgers addressed their need at second base by acquiring Logan Forsythe from the Tampa Bay Rays. Los Angeles is entering the 2017 season among the favorites to win the 2017 World Series.
