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.

Dave Roberts might soon be the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball, a title he's proven over the years that he's deserving of.

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.