Though Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts technically isn’t under contract for the 2019 season, the organization has a club option on him that could still be exercised. General manager Farhan Zaidi, though, indicated in a recent appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that a longer arrangement could be in the works (Twitter link, with audio). “As far as Dave goes, those conversations have been ongoing for the last couple months,” said Zaidi. “As the conversation’s going, certainly we would prefer to work out something longer-term than just picking up the option. All sides feel good about it. [We] haven’t been commenting too extensively, publicly, but obviously he’s done a tremendous job with this club.”
Roberts is a somewhat polarizing figure among Dodgers fans, as many are frustrated with the Dodgers’ matchup-driven lineup construction, among other critiques. The Dodgers, though, have landed in back-to-back World Series and won three consecutive division titles under Roberts.
Here’s more out of Los Angeles as the Dodgers gear up for Game 3 against the Red Sox…
- Though left-hander Julio Urias is thriving out of the bullpen for the Dodgers since returning from major shoulder surgery, Roberts told reporters that the 22-year-old’s future is still as a starter (Twitter link via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times). Urias won’t necessarily be penciled into the Opening Day rotation, it seems, but Roberts made clear that Urias will work as a starter for the Dodgers “at some point next year.” The Dodgers will be cautious with Urias’ workload in 2019, which is likely why they’re not making definitive declarations about his timeline to rejoin the rotation at present. His return from anterior capsule repair has been nothing short of remarkable, as he’s pitched 11 1/3 innings between the regular season and the playoffs and yielded just two runs with 12 strikeouts and no walks allowed.
- Raul Ibanez, who is serving as a special assistant to Zaidi and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, turned down the opportunity to interview for managerial openings this offseason, Jon Heyman of Fancred reports in his weekly notes column. Ibanez has long been tabbed as a potential skipper, though apparently he’s content in his current role. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him emerge as a serious candidate in future offseasons, though. Heyman also speculates that a qualifying offer could be made to Hyun-Jin Ryu and touches on Clayton Kershaw’s opt-out clause, noting that both Kershaw and the team hope to work something out. Kershaw is likely to opt out of the remaining two years and $65MM on his contract, though the Dodgers could try to put together an extension offer that’ll keep him Los Angeles for a longer period.
I am surprised Roberts lasted this long but winning helps. Nothing suggests to me that he’s an outstanding manager in any way, but he seems generally like a yes guy for the front office’s data-driven wishes.
LOL
That’s what teams seem to want these days. A guy who can manage the clubhouse and player personalities while serving as a puppet for the analytic data driven front office. The sport is moving away from old school real managers.
What do you mean ‘real managers’? Guys that use instincts rather than math? Lol
No different than religious nuts who disregard solid science in deference to dusty old tomes presented as “facts”.
Roberts or whomever. It’s Friedman and Zahidi pulling the strings. Yeah for analytics!
Let’s see what happens to Roberts after the Dodgers lose to Boston.
Yea…. let’s see what happens to the guy that’s been the manager of the team that’s went to World Series 2yrs in a row.
Doesn’t really work that way… if the Dodgers lose, there are still 28 other managers that didn’t get as far as he did.
Can’t take anyone seriously that is a Red Sox, Yankees and Mets fan. No credibility.
And, of course, your credibility just soared.
The Dodgers are the west coast Yankees.
Reach much?
So who on here is the west coast version of Eileen?
It’s the same with every team. If a fan doesn’t like a manager, then he’s nothing but a “yes man” for the FO. If a fan likes the manager, then his flaws or shortcomings are overlooked as long as the team is winning.
It’s true that managers, seemingly, don’t have the power they used to, but that’s pretty much true in most industries among large companies. There’s less leeway allowed for not meeting the “bottom line”. A bottom line of seriously contending for a WS is rewarded when met and Roberts will be rewarded with more money and years.
Well the first graph is just wrong. I don’t dislike Roberts for being a “yes man.” It’s a (pardon the pun) a strike against him, sure, but I also frankly like him. He certainly seems to relate well to players and he’s also taken a clubhouse that could be very fractious all these years and gotten it to play well together.
As for winning or losing, that too is not the main way I measure the success or abilities of a manager.
In regards to Roberts, who cares what the fans think? the vast majority of them have no idea what they’re talking about
Then there’s those of us who do!
“Listen, if you start worrying about the people in the stands, before too long you’re up in the stands with them.” -Tommy Lasorda
Roberts gets good players from the FO. He communicates well with his players. and he knows what the FO expects from both the 25 and 40 man roster. Not a lot of people are successful doing that.
That is well said.
I’m surprised there’s so many Dodger fans that want Roberts fired. I can understand their frustration, but I don’t understand why they would blame EVERYTHING on him. I know he’s not the best manager, but no one seems to give him credit for absolutely anything. If the team succeeds, then they praise the players, but if they fail, they blame the manager. I feel like they just want to find one reason for their failure, and if they get rid of that one problem then they’ll win be able to win the WS. People seem more angry at Roberts for taking out Baez (which is understandable), but not with Grandal when he had two two errors on the NLCS, or with Kershaw alloring 5 runs in 4 innings against the Red Sox (I understand they’re a good team, but he’s arguably one of the best pitchers in all of baseball that’s getting payed over $30 million per year. He should’ve put a bigger fight against them). Either way, the front office is just using him as a puppet, they should be the ones fired. They have had one of the largest payrolls in all of baseball for six consecutive years and zero championships. On the other hand, they did aquire young talent such as Seager, Bellinger, Urias, Buehler, etc; but when you have such a large budget, you have high expectations that have to be reached or else you’re just bad at your job. I feel like if the front office just let him do his job and stop “suggesting” him to use all this analytics, he might possibly be a better manager.
Be honest….did you ever think you’d see the day David Price pitches better than Kershaw in a World Series game?
Yes. Kershaw might be most overrated pitcher ever
“Most overrated pitcher ever.” Huh?
Sure anything’s possible and they’ve both been less than stellar in the post-season.
eduardoaraisa98, I applaud you for putting the year of your birth in your username. When you wrote that Kershaw “should’ve put a bigger fight against them”, I instantly thought that only a child would write something like that, To your credit, as a child, you have allowed readers of your comments to identify you as such which will reduce the scathing criticism you receive for your misguided ideas.
…meanwhile you offered up absolutely nothing.
How would you know that 98 is the year of this person’s birth?
You might want to spend more time practicing your own punctuation skills instead of critiquing other people’s writing.
Several times the Dodgers FO has said publicly that they want to sign Roberts to an extension and Roberts has been quoted that he wants to remain with Dodgers. It is just a matter of time until an agreement is reached. But I will not be surprised to see a couple of coaching changes before 2019 ST
Do you really think Kershaw is opting out without the framework for a new deal in place?
No
He’s either signing an extension with the Dodgers or opting out. He’s not sticking to his current contract, regardless of whether there’s any kind of framework in place.
they might get rid of the fella if they don’t win this year
With 10 & 5 rights and opt out option, Kershaw and his agent are in control.
The guy has a bad back, averaged only 90.4 on his fastball, which got hit for a .299 avg. He’s on the wrong side of 30 too. Maybe 4/110 if someone’s desperate enough.
Which is $45mm more than 2/$65mm.
Roberts has managed from the analytics and progressiveness side of things in this World Series 2018 and just take a look at where LAD are right now, 2 games in the hole. I am not saying altogether that it’s Roberts’ fault. However, as far as I am concerned you leave Baez out there in game 1, you don’t bring in Alex Wood. In game 2 you leave Ryu in, he had given up a run, even though he loaded the bases you stick with him right there as he was pitching well. Furthermore, how can you run Madson out there 2 days in a row, you needed an out. Of course he didn’t pitch badly, but he was the wrong guy in the situation.
Houston also kicked Peacock off their roster, I bet if they had their time again he would have been on their roster irrespective of what he did in his last few games in the regular season. Instead they included a rookie-Josh James. Analytics and progressive managers have their place in the game, but as far as I am concerned you still have to use a percentage of ‘gut feel’ mixed in with the other information. Good pitchers can get good hitters out no matter whether they are left handed or right handed pitchers and the hitter is left handed or right handed. You can’t let analytics or progressiveness take over or dictate how the game should be managed. A good manager uses information, he does not let the information totally govern or dictate his decisions or moves. .
No doubt Dodgers make a QO to Ryu and likely Grandal.
Let go of Clayton Kershaw, Dave Roberts, and Yasmani Grandal if you want to win a championship. They’re weak-minded
This World Series would have been better with the Brewers. Dodgers are not a team and really don’t have any chemistry. Brewers lack some post season experience and one starting pitcher.
Boston sweeps LA.
Let him walk he’s done
Another 20 years and we won’t need managers.
They’ll have robomanagers in the dugout with a direct wireless link to all the statistics you can dream about.
Just like apps, and ordering stations have made fast food cashiers irrelevant.
Boring ass game 4 of the World Series. Boston can’t hit a curve ball, Dodgers can’t hit period!
Roberts played the game right into Boston’s hands, thanks for coming LA Dodgers.
So Hill had 91 pitches, a runner on 1st, and he drags him out of the game. Let Rich Hill finish the inning. If you are a Dodgers fan you can quote all the analytics you like, Hill would have faced Brock Holt, a k and a bb, and either Vazquez, a fly out and a single, or Jackie Bradley. Hill gave up 0 runs and had 7 k’s.
Instead in the end you end up with Ryan Madson facing Mitch Moreland. You have to gamble on Hill in the situation.
Roberts has learned nothing.