Director, we'll see you soon What's the annual salary of a coach with the highest winning percentage? Push for an extension with LAD Roberts

Dec 19, 2024

L.A. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts applauds during a press conference at an event in Tokyo, Japan on the 4th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News

Director Dave Roberts, who is happy to have the trophy next to him right after winning this year's World Series. ImagesYonhap News

The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to sign an extension contract with manager Dave Roberts, who gave them the World Series title this year. They decided to meet as soon as they completed all the players' contracts. The timing is expected to be next year's spring training period. Roberts' current contract will end at the end of next season.

According to MLB.com , Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes will tell Roberts at last week's Winter Meeting in Dallas. 'Director, let's meet and talk after making the team's strength properly. I look forward to having a conversation with all of our players after they've solved their problems" he said.

LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is the number one winning percentage among the head coaches who have commanded more than 1,000 games in history. AFP Yonhap News

Roberts, who took the helm of the Dodgers in 2016, has marked 851 wins and 506 losses and a winning percentage of 0.627 in the regular season for nine years so far this year. It is the number one winning percentage among coaches who have led more than 1,000 games in history. During this period, he won four NL champions and two World Series championships. In particular, the Dodgers have advanced to the fall baseball stage for 12 consecutive years since 2013, including nine years under Roberts. No. 11 except 2021 was the NL West's No. 1 qualification.

However, Roberts showed the limitation of not being able to stretch his spirits in the postseason. In particular, even after advancing to No. 1 in the district for two consecutive years in 2022-2023, he was humiliated to be eliminated from the division series, which is the first stage, and the theory of replacement arose again.

However, despite the difficult situation of many injuries this season, he won the World Series after leading his team to the top of the NL and reaching the postseason, shaking off all the painful memories of baseball last fall. The overall postseason winning rate is 0.560 with 56 wins and 44 losses, except for 2020 and 2024, when they reached the top of the World Series, they are 32 wins and 34 losses (0.485), which is less than 50% winning rate. It is no exaggeration to say that winning the World Series changed Roberts' fate.

Roberts, who is leading training ahead of this year's World Series against the New York Yankees. AFP Yonhap News

Roberts has had difficulty running the rotation throughout the season due to the collective injuries of starting pitchers this year. In the end, bullpen baseball was inevitable, and the replacement of pitchers in every game was a great stress. The same goes for the postseason.

Roberts said, `Honestly, the bullpen game is difficult because more decisions have to be made. The more decisions you make, the more times you make a wrong plan to win the game."

However, Roberts' message to the squad was concise and powerful. According to General Manager Gomes, Roberts emphasized that whenever there was a crisis, `Hey guys, even if someone gets hurt and falls out, we have the ability to win, so relax.'

Now, attention is focused on how the Dodgers will treat Roberts in his extended contract. This is because Roberts' salary so far has been at a bargain price compared to his performance.

Roberts signed a three-year contract in 2016 and then signed two extension contracts, guaranteeing his position until next year. The current contract is a three-year contract ahead of the 2022 season. Next year is the end of the contract. So, we have to extend the contract again before that year, so let's negotiate.

What I'm curious about is Roberts' salary level. Salaries of Major League Baseball coaches and coaches will not be disclosed. However, some of it is only known through the media.

Craig Counsell signed a five-year, $40 million all-time high when he moved to the Chicago Cubs this year. AP Yonhap News

According to the American sports business culture media Front Office Sports, the current highest-paid manager is Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs. He signed a five-year, $40 million contract last winter when he moved from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Chicago Cubs. He received an annual salary of $8 million, exceeding the previous record of $7.5 million for New York Yankees manager Joe Torre.

Arizona Diamondbacks coach Tori Lovullo is then the second-highest paid coach this year with $5 million. He was treated like this when he signed a two-year extension contract in November last year. Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is in third place with $4.5 million. Coach Bochy gave the club the joy of winning its first World Series as soon as he took the helm of Texas with a three-year contract last year.

Five players, including new Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington, Cleveland Guardians coach Stephen Boat, San Francisco Giants coach Bob Melvin, San Diego Padres coach Mike Shildt and Atlanta Braves coach Brian Snitker, are tied for fourth with an annual salary of $4 million.

However, Roberts is ranked 11th with $3.25 million after Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez ($3.5 million) and Yankees manager Aaron Boone ($3.3 million). Based on not only the overall winning rate, but also the postseason advancement and World Series winning performance, it is a bargain.

It remains to be seen whether Roberts, who has risen to the rank of master, will receive the highest treatment as a coach.

jhno@sportschosun.com