Dodgers GM ‘Surprised’ Dave Roberts Spoke Candidly About Shohei Ohtani Meeting
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shocked the baseball world on Tuesday when he candidly spoke about the Dodgers’ pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. Roberts did not only say that Ohtani was the Dodgers’ top priority this offseason, but he also revealed that the team met with him at Dodger Stadium a few days ago. This candidness not only went against the habit of every public-facing Dodger official, but also seemed to go against Ohtani’s desire to have privacy and secrecy surrounding his free agency.
Dodger fans were sent into a panic following Roberts’ statements, but were able to calm down a bit in the aftermath of the whole thing. Now there are questions.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes addressed the media shortly after Roberts, and said he was “surprised” the manager spoke so openly about Ohtani.
Both Gomes and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman have declined to comment on any Ohtani matters throughout the off-season, stating they couldn’t talk about specific free agents. Roberts seems to have ignored that rule, unless he believes it doesn’t apply to managers.
Is it possible that Roberts hurt the Dodgers’ chances of signing Shohei Ohtani this offseason by speaking so openly? Probably not.
But what initially felt like a non-issue is now starting to feel a little more serious due to the reactions of Friedman and Gomes.
Photo Credit: Kyle Schwab-USA TODAY Sports
Time to fire Roberts. Has to be the easiest manager job in baseball. Simply shut up and you’ll have a lineup full of the right stars. You don’t have to win playoff games and generally you can decline to comment on important matters but no. Dave can’t do that. Fire him. Seriously, if he’s a reason to not sign with the team then fire him. Nuff said. Throw Cruz or Archer in there. It’ll be fine. They may even win a playoff series.
I totally agree. What is Robert’s thinking? Oh, he not. I am a big Robert’s supporter, but if this costs us, later Dave, dammit
If Roberts is the reason we don’t sign Ohtani, I will applaud him for keeping the Dodgers from making a huge mistake. We can fix so many holes in the lineup and starting rotation with the Ohtani money. This isn’t basketball where one superstar can win you a championship. Angels have had Trout and Ohtani for years and have won nothing.
I don’t know of any basketball team that won a championship with one player. If you can ask Chamberlain, he’ll tell you. Jordan couldn’t win without Pipoen, Rodman,, Grant, and the rest. Like baseball, basketball is a team game
The point is, one superstar player can make a huge difference in a basketball teams success. Much more than in baseball.
Simple math makes this true… Baseball has 9 in the line-up..whilst basketball has only 5..
Agree. Dodgers won a division last year that many said was pretty darn impossible, WITHOUT OHTANI. How much have the Angels won with Trout and Ohtani – NOTHING!
The Dodgers need to focus on the pitching staff and a solid fielding 3rd baseman and use Muncy in the DH spot. They should also sign or trade for a power hitting left fielder.
Most of you commenting on this are out of your minds. Roberts did absolutely nothing wrong, he answered a question honestly. And please tell me what makes Ohtani so d**n special that he and his agent put themselves above everyone else?
Dude chill out. They’ve won plenty of playoff series under Robert’s watch. How many games did people really expect the Dodgers to win going in to the season last year? Contrary to popular belief the Dodgers did not have a lineup “full” of stars. Yes, elite at the top, but after that it was a lot of rookies and reclamation projects. Not to mention a starting staff decimated by injury with rookies. Roberts did a great job with the team during the regular season to get them to 100 wins. And enough with the Ohtani meeting leak nonsense. That’s not the reason Ohtani signs elsewhere if that happens.
Agree 100% with Dodgerball.
Bring dusty baker home and I guarantee you will have championships with him he deserves to come home to the dodgers ! He is a bad m.f. and knows how to win ( old school) please he is a winner! Dodger fan Kevin McCarthy since 1965
If Ohtani wants to be a Dodger, and they offer him enough money, he’ll be a Dodger.
Hope they get Ohtani and he bombs.They are a bunch of chokers.
Choke on this you goofball. Let’s just be fans of baseball and enjoy it. The negative and crude comments are always going to make you look like a fool and your opinion doesn’t matter at all in any way whatsoever. It’s just a waste of breath. Be a fan and enjoy life. Let’s go Dodgers ??
Kinda like the Eagles against San Fran lol
Relax. Roberts did not go off the reservation. He said only what Ohtani & Co allowed him to say.
I didn’t think it was a big deal until Gomes said he was surprised. Now I’m a bit concerned. But the thing we also have to remember is that the report that said Ohtani’s camp will hold leaks against teams isn’t gospel. The Ohtani camp didn’t come out and say that, it was some reporter saying it. Could it be true? Of course. Could it be complete bs? Absolutely. So let’s not forget that.
But I have to say I agree with Gary here. If Dave opening his mouth about this somehow costs them Ohtani, he’s gotta go. I love Dave and think he gets a raw deal from way too many so called Dodger fans but this just seems incredibly stupid, even if the report that leaks will cost teams isn’t true.
Honestly, I think Ohtani knows where he is signing and I’m sure Dave also knows that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ohtani has decided not to sign with Dodgers due to not being allowed to do whatever he wants. I think he’s going back to the Angels since the news about Trout. Let’s face it, he can do whatever he wants with the Angels including the way he will rehab his injury. I think the Dodgers want more control if they were to give him a $600 million dollar contract. Dodgers are better ran than the Angels and they won’t give up that type of control.
I think the Dodgers need to focus on keeping Kiki Hernandez using Muncy as a DH as he isn’t a true third baseman. Focus on pitching and leave Ohtani alone. Did they not learn anything from focusing on Judge and hurting our chances at keeping key players.
Dave Roberts proves once again that he is not a smart man. What he said could be considered collusion and would preclude the Dodgers from signing SO. This man needs to keep his mouth shut! He opened his mouth on pulling the All Star game out of Georgia and compared it to what Jackie Robinson went through….?????
Why he still has a job is perplexing.
Ohtani’s a free agent – there’s no collusion speaking about meeting with him.
To me Dave Roberts has always been an honest man, as honest as you can be in baseball. I appreciate that, keep it going Dave!
Roberts has proven time-after-time that he’s a knucklehead: Guarantees a WS victory during Spring Training; “best team I’ve ever had” the start of last season and all the pitching blunders he’s made in the many post-season loses while at the helm.
I’m fine if the Boys in Blue don’t sign Ohtani as “OhioDodger” previously pointed out. However, there’s management protocol when it comes to pursuing Free Agents and there was absolutely no reason for Roberts to say anything outside of “no comment at this time”.
Those of you who attack Dave Roberts have it all wrong. Look at his record, just stellar. Also, if you listen carefully to his Q&A session, he never gives away the candy store! He always adds a qualifier to the effect that he respects the privacy of Ohtani and will always leave it to him to decide the details and timing of his own announcement of a signing.
The most important thing is that Roberts stated over and over again that he insists on being honest and straightforward in his interviews. This is a good thing! It will help in future courtships of star players!
Lesser known fact: Roberts is himself half-Japanese! I am sure this helps him in the Ohtani recruiting process.
Ohtani is a .274 career hitter who strikes out a ton. He’s not worth the millions. And chances are he has had career numbers and will only start to go down. I don’t know why teams make the mistake to pay millions to players that have had a few great years and expect them to continue the same pace for another 8 years. Lol. No sense.