Dodgers manager Roberts receives 3-year extension
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dave Roberts figured his contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers would happen sooner or later. A few other things just got in the way. No matter.
“What it means to put this uniform on every day, and really respecting the Dodger tradition and the people who came before me,” the 49-year-old manager said Friday after agreeing to a three-year extension that takes him through the 2025 season.
Roberts’ contract was due to expire at the end of this season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Roberts, who took over for Don Mattingly beginning with the 2016 season, has won 62 percent of his games (542-329), the best record in baseball over the last six seasons. In that span, the Dodgers have won five NL West titles, three NL pennants and the 2020 World Series.
Last season, Los Angeles was 106-56 but finished one game behind San Francisco for the division title. The Dodgers then beat the Giants in five games in the division series before losing to eventual World Series champion Atlanta in the NL Championship Series.
Part of the reason for the delay in the announcement of Roberts’ extension was because after the 99-day MLB lockout ended, the Dodgers were negotiating with free agent Freddie Freeman, who signed a six-year deal with L.A. earlier this month.
Mercedes to miss time with injury
Chicago White Sox designated hitter Yermin Mercedes will miss the start of the season because of a left hand injury.
A CT scan on Friday showed a hamate fracture in Mercedes’ hand. The team said he will have surgery Monday, and his projected recovery time is six to eight weeks.
The 29-year-old Mercedes was one of baseball’s hottest hitters at the beginning of last season, batting .415 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 22 games in April. He angered Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa by homering on a 3-0 pitch from a Twins position player in the ninth inning of a 16-4 win at Minnesota on May 17.
Mercedes eventually cooled off, hitting .150 (16-for-107) over his final 31 games with Chicago before being demoted to Class AAA Charlotte on July 2.
After he was sent down, Mercedes announced he was quitting the game and then returned to the Knights a day later.
Cubs’ Ramirez traded to Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired outfielder Harold Ramirez in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
Ramirez batted .268 with seven homers and 41 RBIs in 99 games with Cleveland last season. He was acquired by the Cubs for cash in November.
Chicago got minor league infielder Esteban Quiroz in the deal with Tampa Bay. The 30-yearold Quiroz hit .268 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 68 games with Class AAA Durham last year.
A native of Cartagena, Colombia, Ramirez, 27, is a .271 hitter over parts of three seasons with Miami and Cleveland. He ranked sixth among NL rookies with 116 hits for the Marlins in 2019.