Dave Roberts is quickly grasping the constant attention surrounding Shohei Ohtani and the increased focus he brings each day to the Los Angeles Dodgers from across the world in Japan.
The experienced manager recently had fun at spring training and danced on the field during a practice, with his moves captured on camera.
“Not my best moment,” he said with a laughing emoji in a text message to The Associated Press.
He hopes there will be many brighter moments to come, especially with two-way star Ohtani in the batting order and, eventually, back on the mound.
Ohtani’s arrival in Los Angeles is drawing attention to the historic franchise and perennial NL West power, which has now acquired its latest superstar.
Roberts started the spring by emphasizing all the things this club must do “to be great,” and it will take some time to come together and establish strong relationships.
“The emphasis, the message, was the Dodgers, the foundation of this organization, has always been pitching and defense,” Roberts said. “We have a lot of guys who have been here, a handful of guys that are new to the organization, a lot of guys who understand what we’re about, excited to be a Dodger and some guys that are curious.”
The 29-year-old Ohtani in Dodger Blue brings even more attention to a Los Angeles team that won the last two NL West titles and 10 division titles in the last 11 years. The Dodgers only lost during that time in 2021, edged by the San Francisco Giants with a franchise-record 107 victories while the Dodgers won 106. They then defeated their Bay Area rival in a thrilling five-game NL Division Series.
The high-profile, star-studded Dodgers just won the biggest offseason sweepstakes in recent memory by signing the Japanese two-way star to a record $700 million, 10-year contract in December.
PROJECTED OUTCOME
1. Los Angeles Dodgers. Along with Ohtani not yet being ready to pitch, the Dodgers won’t have left-hander Clayton Kershaw or right-hander Walker Buehler in the rotation to start the season. Kershaw is recovering from left shoulder surgery and Buehler is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. But they added righties Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, both of whom have had strong spring showings.
Also expected back later in the season is right-hander Tony Gonsolin. The Dodgers added Ohtani after he batted .304 with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs in 2023, but he won’t pitch until 2025 after undergoing a second elbow procedure. His first came in 2018 with Tommy John surgery.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks barely made it to the playoffs last season, but then had an impressive postseason run, making the World Series for just the second time in franchise history before losing to the Texas Rangers in five games.
Most of the roster returns, including NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, slugger Christian Walker and ace righty Zac Gallen. Arizona was also aggressive during the offseason, landing lefty Eduardo Rodríguez on an $80 million, four-year deal, trading for third baseman Eugenio Suárez and acquiring power hitters Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk. The D-backs face a tough challenge in a big-spending division, but their combination of speed, power and pitching should give them a good chance to return to the playoffs.
3. The San Francisco Giants made a big move by hiring manager Bob Melvin from the San Diego Padres, replacing Gabe Kapler after two playoff-less seasons.
Melvin, who achieved a franchise-record 107 victories in 2021, is now taking charge of a team determined to compete in the tough NL West.
San Francisco's offer to Ohtani was very similar, if not the same, as another team's offer.
Even after spring training began, the Giants made significant signings, including third baseman Matt Chapman on a $54 million, three-year contract, and Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee on a $113 million, six-year deal.
Pablo Sandoval, the beloved 2012 World Series MVP, is back with the franchise for a third time, but it's uncertain if he'll make the opening day roster.
4. The San Diego Padres have shifted their focus from openly discussing World Series aspirations to quietly saving money and resetting their luxury tax after last year's disappointing season and the death of owner Peter Seidler.
The Padres still have stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts, but they traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees and lost NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to free agency. Their rotation will be thin behind Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Michael King, although their bullpen looks strong. Manager Mike Shildt replaced Melvin, who had conflicts with GM A.J. Preller and departed for the Giants.
5. The Colorado Rockies and manager Bud Black might face another tough season with a young team and numerous pitching injuries. They haven't made the postseason or had a winning record since 2018.
Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela are still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and reliever Daniel Bard is sidelined after knee surgery, putting more pressure on Kyle Freeland to lead the rotation. The team needs more production from Kris Bryant, who signed a $182 million, seven-year contract in 2022.
