That’s all even more true now that the Dodgers have all but captured the Japanese market, after signing Ohtani and righties Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in the last two offseasons. The World Series had better TV ratings in Japan than in the U.S. Almost no one else in baseball can relate to the scrutiny Roberts faces.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has a stacked lineup for the 2025 season. But the skipper revealed two positions of uncertainty.

The Dodgers and Dave Roberts are inching closer to agreeing to a new contract, with the hope that a deal can be reached by next week before the team leaves for Japan.