Dodgers, Roberts agree on record 4-year, $32.4M extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed longtime manager Dave Roberts to a four-year contract extension, they announced.

Roberts' new deal, which covers the 2026-29 seasons, is worth $32.4 million, a source told ESPN's Alden González. The contract's $8.1-million average annual value sets a new standard for managers, beating the previous record set by Chicago Cubs skipper Craig Counsell.

"We could not be more thrilled about continuing our long-running partnership with Dave," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in a statement obtained by USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "As we've preached time and time again, continuity and stability are staples of this organization, and we are incredibly excited that this agreement allows us to maintain our focus of working together towards bringing more championships to Los Angeles.

"Dave's leadership both on the field and in the clubhouse elevates those around him and allows our players to go and perform at an elite level night in and night out. He has become a strong presence in the community, and represents all the best qualities of our organization."

The sides had been negotiating the agreement for several weeks, aiming to complete the deal before the team traveled to Japan to play the Chicago Cubs. Roberts' contract was announced shortly after the team completed its Cactus League schedule.

"I can't talk so much about it, but I do think that there's finally some closure," Roberts said Monday before the deal was made official, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. "I'm excited. Obviously, this is the place I want to be. I'm sure I'll go into it more, but hopefully, there's an announcement coming soon."

The 52-year-old has managed the Dodgers since 2016, winning 851 regular-season games, four NL pennants, and two World Series titles.

Roberts was also named NL Manager of the Year in 2016 and won a World Series as a player with the Boston Red Sox in 2004.