The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Monday manager Dave Roberts signed a four-year contract through the 2022 season.
Roberts, 46, has served as the team's manager for the past three seasons, going 287-200 and leading the team to three straight postseasons and two consecutive World Series berths, though the Dodgers fell short both times.
"Keeping Doc as our leader on the field was a top priority this offseason," president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in a statement, via Dodger Insider. "And now that we've accomplished that, we are excited to collectively shift all of our focus to doing all we can to bring a world championship to our passionate fans."
Expectations remain high for the Dodgers. While the future of free agent Manny Machado is up in the air, the team will return an impressive core that includes Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Chris Taylor, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig, among others.
Roberts also spoke on extending his stay in Los Angeles:
"When I was hired to lead this team three years ago, I said at the time that managing the Dodgers is truly the opportunity of a lifetime, and I feel the exact same way today. We've worked hard to develop a team and culture that will put us in position to win the World Series every season, but we still have yet to achieve our ultimate goal and that is what drives me each day. I want to thank Andrew, [team president] Stan Kasten and our outstanding ownership group for believing in me and keeping me in Dodger Blue, a uniform I'm so proud to wear."
The Dodgers will once again be the favorites in the National League West and one of the favorites in the NL, period, and expectations will be World Series title or bust for both Roberts and the team.
The manager received a well-earned vote of confidence Monday. But getting over the final hurdle and ending a title drought that dates to 1988 remains a pressing priority.
