The Dodgers announced the signing of manager Dave Roberts to a four-year extension that covers the 2026-29 seasons. The team did not confirm salary figures, but Roberts will reportedly be paid $32.4MM — an average annual value of $8.1MM. That surpasses the $8MM AAV on Craig Counsell’s five-year, $40MM deal with the Cubs.
The news doesn’t come as a shock. Clubs generally don’t like to have skippers in “lame duck” position, that is, managing on a deal that is about to expire. Reporting throughout the winter has suggested the Dodgers and Roberts were likely to work out a new deal prior to the start of the 2025 season. It was reported on Thursday that the two sides were making progress on a deal that would see Roberts surpass Counsell’s AAV. On Friday, Roberts referred to the talks as being on “the one-yard line”, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Roberts has been at the helm for the Dodgers since November of 2015. The club was already in good overall position at that time, having just won three straight division titles under manager Don Mattingly, but with three straight deflating postseason losses. They lost the NLCS to the Cardinals in 2013 and then suffered quick NLDS defeats in the next two seasons.
Under Roberts, the regular season success has continued and the postseason record improved. They made it to the NLCS in the first season and the World Series in his second and third campaigns. The club lost the 2017 World Series to the Astros and the 2018 series to the Red Sox, both asterisk-marked campaigns for those winning clubs. The Dodgers suffered a quick NLDS exit in 2019 but hoisted the trophy in the shortened 2020 season. The next three seasons saw the club eliminated before the World Series, but they won it all again in 2024, getting Roberts his second ring in five years.
Roberts currently sports a managerial record of 851-506 in the regular season and 56-44 in the postseason, with the Dodgers getting to the playoffs in each season with him at the helm. Roberts has had some loaded rosters to work with but appears to be well-liked by players and other Dodger personnel.
Counsell left the Brewers after the 2023 season with the reported goal of improving the earning power of managers. Joe Torre had been able to secure an $8MM salary in his days with the Yankees but skipper salaries had seemingly stalled. Reportedly, Terry Francona was the highest-paid manager in 2023 with a $4.5MM salary. Counsell managed to get a five-year, $40MM deal from the Cubs, an AAV of $8MM. That seemingly set a baseline foundation, with Roberts able to negotiate his way just over that line. Earlier in the winter, Roberts said he was hopeful of getting a new deal done but wanted “to feel (his) value.”
Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported that Roberts and the Dodgers had agreed to a new four-year deal worth slightly more than $8MM annually. Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported that the deal would start in 2026. Joel Sherman of The New York Post reported the $32.4MM total.
Any of it Deferred til 2040?
Asking for a friend
Managers salary doesn’t count towards a teams overall salary, but you I’m sure you knew that already and you just wanted to rehash the same boring joke right?
Rumor has it, that Ohtani presented him with Ippei Mizuhara betting tokens as a celebratory gift.
It’s the same joke no matter the post. Just some unfunny guy with his one liner that he forces into any Dodger comment. Move on my man!!!
Ill never move on!!! The la deferrals are ruining mlb and Ohtani deserves lifetime ban & should be behind bars not his friend
Matthew Perry weeps at this
Maybe you can be the first person to explain why the FBI, IRS, and DOJ would coverup for Ohtani? I bet you have an intelligent response.
Oh, the sweet taste of your tears….
The only 1 covering up for ohtani is his friend who took the fall. 57 months is harsh. But he’ll be out in 2-3 yrs with good behavior. New lambo & private jet waiting for him the day he’s released
Ya’ll know how this happened right? Or ya’ll just read espn & watch youtube? The bookie was on fbi wanted list. When they took him down, they found his accounting books with ohtani’s name in it. When they went to shohei first he said “i have no idea”, then he said “”it was my bookie and i was paying on his behalf & he was in trouble” then he said “i had nothing to do with it, entirely my interpreter. Its all his fault, im not connected”
Gambler & a liar. Some folks get away with terrible things like this, thats life. Its just funny how many naive, ignorant, uneducated people will believe absolutely anything on the surface
Maybe Ohtani has dirt on the FBI, IRS & DOJ.
Or we just don’t care….
That’s right….. the Dodgers are the only team that has ever used deferrals and are the only team currently using them. God you’re a moron
oh my, tell us about 911 and JFK as well
I see you didn’t answer my question why the FBI, IRS, and DOJ would cover up for Ohtani. Can I see your source that Ohtani’s name was on the bookie’s books.
“2-3 years with good behavior”…I believe Ippei was sentenced to 57 months in FEDERAL PRISON, where they DO NOT recognize “good behavior” sentence reductions. 57 months in federal lockup is actually 57 months.
Part of me wants to think this “chandlerbing” is playing the Chandler Bing character and failing badly at it. The other part of me is trying at holding back the belief that there’s an actual person on that account who truly believes in that sort of thing about Ohtani.
This is great tinfoil hat material here.
Just like Trump huh…just sit back and watch the game.
Maybe Chandler has dirt (aka amyloid plaque) in his gray matter.
I love the conspiracies.
You solved it. You’re so smart. Can’t believe Ohtani is not in jail. Good work.
” Its just funny how many naive, ignorant, uneducated people will believe absolutely anything on the surface”
I think you just described yourself.
It’s also funny how many naive, ignorant, uneducated people will fail to accept mountains of evidence to promote conspiracy theories so that they can be validated for having “unique knowledge” and “special insight” to compensate for diminished intellect/incel life/micropenises (take your pick).
Chandlerbing is a toolbox. Feel free to ignore.
I mean… that info is coming out soon sooo….
What info is coming out soon?
@astros aus
Now why you’d have to go & say something like that? I rly liked you man. Now i gotta mute you
Just as funny as the stupid trash can jokes Dodger fans used for years.
Crickets.
Well one was used for good reason as the Astros cheated and the other one was people crying because their team doesn’t do the same. So no not the same
Oh & I know someone who was in jail for 18 months. Minimum security like mizuhara will be in. He said it was like summer camp for adults. Slept 12 hours a day, played cards and read books. So he’ll be fine, dreaming of the big $ that awaits him
I’m still waiting for you to show me your source that Ohtani’s name was in the bookie’s books.
Ippei earned it….
lol “I know someone” who said prison is a great time
He is the next Walter Alston
@carey
the only man to bring a championship to the great borough of Brooklyn, New York
For all the grief people give him and the Dodgers, this is a solid move. He’s beloved by players and knows how to operate in that market, which is a big thing.
It’s so funny how many fans criticize/borderline hate their managers. So much of it is 20/20 hindsight, like when a bullpen move goes wrong.
Agreed. I may not agree with all of his moves but much more so than moves from those complaining fans after a loss. They don’t understand that good manager moves don’t always work on any given game.
I sometimes wonder how many people also don’t realize that Roberts is essentially a conduit for that front office, too. He’s perfect for what the Dodgers want and need, though.
Managers aren’t as impactful on baseball games as they’re often portrayed to be, anyway. It is far more important to be able to manage personalities and keep harmony in the clubhouse.
All teams are collecting and analyzing reams of data now, and few, if any, are spending more on this than the Dodgers. Managers still make in-game calls, but if they make too many decisions that aren’t supported by the data, and they don’t work out, then their job is going to be on the line. That said, I believe Roberts made two excellent old-school calls in the World Series. One was not taking out Treinen after a mound visit that would normally come with a hook, and the other was using Buehler to close out Game 5. In both cases, this was pure instinct, and he made the right calls. So give the man some credit.
I do miss the memes about his over-managing, but hats off to guy who’s gotten better with time. Well-earned.
He has gotten better with time and had to work through some tough times, taking a lot of flack.
They should probably be complaining about the front office, most managers take orders from the analytics department these days. If he can offer some helpful advice on how to improve their game and remain well liked by the players then he’s doing what you would expect from a good manager.
knew it was about being the highest paid
@Wren
Probably not highest offer. Just like Soto, Roberts has morals and wouldn’t take max dollars.
/s
You do realize this wasn’t like a free agent contract right? There were no other offers out there. You get that correct?
I do, and I’m jokingly saying that the Dodgers offered more but he declined it. Relax.
Got it!! Good joke.
“Not highest offer..Roberts has morals”…You do realize Dave Roberts was already under contract and could NOT legally entertain or seek “other offers?”
He should be giving half of his salary to Freeman.
Kike Hernandez
The greatest managers often have the greatest players and the biggest payroll. I wonder how the White Sox would do this year with some of those managers.
Because his defense is valid about his own team and you’re the one mad and worried he’ll mute you for your opinionated baseless criticisms of the Dodgers and their players.
Roberts predictions
leaves ohtani in too long during 2025 playoff loss.
Loses ohtani due to injury in 2026
Leaves Kershaw and (insert pitcher name here) in too long in playoffs in 2027, Freemans 8 hr can’t overcome that.
regresss to 81-81 season. 2028
wins ws in 2029, demands 5 year contract extension.
And goes to the HOF with 3+ rings!
His desicion making is not always the best, but he can pull a team together like no other.
he can run a top notch pitching staff into the ground by august like no other
C0me up with something intelligent and I will celebrate it.
3rd best manager in the game, behind Kevin Cash and Stephen Vogt
Tito? And I’m not even a Tito follower.
Blake Snell says hi.
A bit premature to put Vogt down as one of the best. Cash is very good, though.
I look forward to a 162-0 team this year.
At this point, the Dodgers and their fans don’t care about the regular season. The playoffs have become an afterthought….
If they don’t care about the regular season AND the playoffs have become an afterthought, what exactly do they care about? The off-season?
You just confirmed the point that the Dodgers’ spending is ruining the game.
Let’s face it Freeman really manages the Dodgers. Roberts is a puppet
Analytics had ruined sports in general and the poster children for it are Roberts and Freeman
Freeman is the LAD first baseman. Friedman is the President of Baseball ops. You’re welcome.
I think he meant that Morgan Freeman manages the Dodgers
Morgan Freeman has played presidents, it’s about time he played president of baseball operations.
How does Freddie make his pitching changes when he’s out on the field? Or pinch hitter if he’s running the bases?
Ruined for who? Seems to be working just fine for the Dodgers. And all MLB teams invest quite heavily in analytics. Some more than others.
this bungled post deserves a yellow card
Good reply and an even better username.
On Twitter I was going by Slouching Toward Bed Bath and Beyond.
The club lost the 2017 World Series to the Astros and the 2018 series to the Red Sox, both asterisk-marked campaigns for those winning clubs.
No asterisks. It either counts or it doesn’t. The end.
Apparently, asterisks provide solace for some people. Not me….
* maybe
Astros after 2017: 3 pennants, 1 WS, 6 ALCS’, 11 playoff series victories
Red Sox after 2018: 1 playoff appearance, 1 playoff series victory (1 game WC)
I see now who really benefited from the sign stealing.
I look at Roberts best abilities are being a smooth operator in La-La town and that his players like his mostly laid-back style plus he works better with veterans than rookies. He is sort of the foil to Francona for the Reds. Tito is fiery at times, seems to have a better handle of younger players and seems to thrive in small and larger marakets.
No reason to mess with Roberts as their manager. I just wish he would ban their horrible dance moves on the bases. Just awful. 🙂
You have just figured out why he a MLB manager and you are not.
congrats
Makes sense.
Future Hall of Famer.
No doubt, but the HOF has gotten so watered down it’s almost meaningless.
Best winning percentage ever for a manager with 1000+ games, eight division titles, four pennants, two rings (so far).
There are some undeserving HoF inductees, but Dave Roberts won’t be one of them.
$8.1M is hilariously petty. Should’ve just gone with $8,000,001.
Price is Right rules? I like it.
Dad, what do you do for a living? I wear a baseball uniform and tell other people what to do. Not bad dad, not bad…
Dave Roberts they could never make me hate you. Hero.
Fr though no-brainer decision, he clearly works well with all the stars on that team. No reason to rock the boat.
I will always be a big fan, can’t believe that stolen base happened 20 years ago
Roberts has definitely come a long way as a Manager. Things were very bumpy for a while, but he is miles ahead of where he was, and I’m glad the Dodgers organization stuck by him.
The Dodgers hire
The DOGErs fire
But beisbol will never change
Careful, the second and definitely a word in the third and you could find yourself deported.
I’m just here for the deferred comments
He’ll have the job for as long as he wants it.
A haiku.
Dodgers play baseball
Many fans rejoice in this
Many do not smile
why spend the money when my goldfish could manage that team to a title?
“When my goldfish could manage”..Mainly because the Dodgers need someone to deal with the vociferous
LA & national media on a daily basis.
That’s where guys like Dave Roberts and Aaron Boone really shine. Neither Roberts nor Boone is making out any lineups or major team decisions, because those were made by the front office analytics guys weeks and weeks ago.
Yeah, sweet-talk the media and other PR bs are most of the job which they do well and why they get paid….
agree on the job description of the modern-day manager, which is why i’ve been training my goldfish to lie to the new york press about the severity of yankee injuries. he (she? it?) is making good progress. yesterday he (she? it?) expressed confidence that clarke schmidt’s “cranky back” is nothing to worry about
Would your fish have had the balls to leave Blake Treinen in, in the 8th inning of game 5?
Too bad baseball isn’t as developed in many other countries to allow for a champions league as well.
It is devloped. Was that sarcasm? MLB should hold wbc after the regular season.
I think that’s a couple million less per than World Series Champion Cuns manager, Craig Counsell.
How is going to feed his family ?
Bro hasn’t had that problem for like 30 years….
Easiest managing job in baseball.
White Sox. Team’s gonna suck, and there are no expectations. If the Dodgers lose a game, every one of your moves is scrutinized. If you don’t win it all, you are an abject failure.
If only you could be in Roberts’ shoes for a day….
That troll couldn’t shine those shoes.
Or is it the hardest?
A monkey could manage this $321 MM roster to a championship.
Well good thing they don’t need a monkey
But could a walrus replace Juan Soto if you gave it enough fish?
I love Dave, he deserves every penny. Manager for life!
SO damn many stupid comments. Dave’s contract was to be up after 2025 so he needed a new contract not to be a lame duck manager. He deserved to be the highest paid inasmuch as he is THE winningest manager in all MLB. What part of that is hard to understand?
Oh, you want him to be better than “the winningest”? How could that be?
No, your “mother” could not manage the Dodgers’ roster and neither could any of us. SO easy to be flippant when you don’t know enough to know you don’t know anything!
Speak for your own mother, but my mother could manage the Dodger’s roster. Maybe a few less wins but they will still make the playoffs.
The Dodgers would make the playoffs without Ohtani as well. I guess he’s not valuable, either.
Not “possibly”. The record shows he is, period.
Everyone can blab about the Dodgers roster strength and how their winning is really a result of Friedman or Gomes or Prior or Van Scoyoc…..but all the same considerations applied when Torres managed the Yankees to successive titles, when Tommy managed the Dodgers.
It’s WINS & LOSSES, period. All in-game decision will not work but if you end the season with consistently more wins that the other guys, you’re best.
“It’s WINS & LOSSES, period.”
It’s CHAMPIONSHIPS. period.
Well that’s one good thing for the rest of the division.
Not a bad thing to say about this, get a grip. Yes he has loaded rosters but with loaded rosters brings a lot of other issues like egos and injuries and expectations. All of that is for a manager to weather. He is exceptional in all of those areas. He deserves it
Craig Counsel has done nothing to be the Highest paid Manager in MLB while at the Same time Doc Roberts has lead his team to the Post Season every year that’s he’s been the Manager & he’s even has lead his team to the World Series 4 Times & has won 2 Championships & had 1 Championship stolen. Doc Earned the right to be the Highest Paid Manager in the Game
Worth noting that in a clubhouse with *4* future Hall of Famers (inc. one who’s a franchise icon on a level with Jackie, Sandy & Fernando), the clubhouse leaders are a utility man and the backup catcher.
That suggests a remarkable clubhouse culture reflecting a manager who treats role players with as much respect as superstars.
Fernando is not a Hall of Famer & his numbers on the Field say that he isn’t a Hall of Famer
I wish I could defer my mortage.
If you understood the first thing about mortgages, you’d know that this is exactly what you have already done.
No, I have deferred my loan. Deferring my mortgage would mean deferring the monthly payments. Stop over complicating a simple comment. Clearly you don’t understand the first thing about mortgages. This is what happens when you let your significant other handle your dues.
You seem to have this exactly backwards. Salary deferrals are loans. In fact, they are explicitly described as loans in the CBA. The teams borrow salary they would have otherwise paid to the player. On this borrowed money, they pay a fixed annual rate of interest as set by the CBA. So in reality, a salary deferral is exactly like a mortgage. The lender in this case is not a bank but a ballplayer. Deferrals and mortgages are similar in other ways that we don’t need to go into here, but this is the basic point.
DR seems like a solid guy, there have been plenty of complaints about his bullpen management but I feel like that happens with almost any manager. His record is quite impressive. Glad he could get the deal he was looking for done.
“His record is quite impressive.”
Is it?
The best team in baseball year after year and only one full season championship to show for it.
Now what did you say about not having a Full Season Championship.
OH YEAH do you think Tommy Lasorda has 2 Full Season Championships
Looking forward to more years of the Dodgers getting knocked out in the playoffs.
It’ll happen. That’s the nature of the playoffs.
Parades will happen too. That’s the nature of being the best team in baseball.
Doc Roberts has the most wins of any Manager since his 1st Season as Manager which was 2016 & there is no other Manager that is even close to the Record that Doc Roberts has & in fact no other team is even close to the Record the Dodgers have under the Managerial Job that Doc has lead the team to