Dodgers Lock In Dave Roberts
Los Angeles and manager Dave Roberts have agreed to a new contract extension that will pay him $8.1 million per season from 2026 to 29, surpassing Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s average annual value of $8 million. After completing the roster for the season, the DODGERS finally take care of the team’s “skipper.” The team has made their intentions clear this offseason about getting a deal done.
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer
Los Angeles and manager Dave Roberts have agreed to a new contract extension that will pay him $8.1 million per season from 2026 to 29, surpassing Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s average annual value of $8 million. After completing the roster for the season, the DODGERS finally take care of the team’s “skipper.” The team has made their intentions clear this offseason about getting a deal done.
“I can’t talk so much about it, but I do think that there’s finally some closure. I’m excited. Obviously, this is the place where I want to be. I’m sure I’ll go into it more, but hopefully, there’s an announcement coming soon,” Roberts said.
Since taking over as Dodgers manager before the 2016 season, Roberts has charted an unprecedented path of success. No manager in American or National League history has won games at a higher clip than Roberts’ .627 winning percentage. Roberts has 56 postseason wins, and only Bruce Bochy (57) has more among active managers. Last October, Roberts joined Bochy and Terry Francona as the only active managers with multiple World Series titles. Goal or not, Roberts is now the highest-paid manager in MLB history in terms of average annual value.
“I try to make sure that my focus stays on the players, the game, the Dodgers’ organization. I think I’ve done a good job, but the other part of that stuff is part of the job. And I’m looking forward to some closure, for sure.”. Recently, Roberts spoke about what was important to him in contract negotiations.
“I just think it all comes down to value. And I think whatever anyone does, they want their value. That’s kind of where I’m at.”
Roberts, 52, is in his ninth season as Los Angeles’s manager. Under his guidance, the Dodgers have won two World Series titles—in 2020 and ’24—and four pennants.
The skipper has received National League Manager of the Year votes in every year of his tenure, winning the award in 2016.
The UCLA Alum has been one of the most successful skippers in Major League Baseball, posting a record of 851-506. The Dodgers have made nine postseason appearances, won eight division titles, and compiled five 100-win seasons during his tenure. Roberts’s .627 winning percentage is the highest among any manager who has coached over 1,000 games, and it’s reasonable to expect that will go up as they will field a top-notch team this season.
“But it’s not (a goal) to be the highest-paid manager. If that’s the fallout, fine. But that’s not why I do my job. I do my job because I love baseball, I love the Dodgers and I love the players. But I do feel the body of work is pretty dang good.”
