BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers supporters are disregarding the primary cause of Dave Roberts’ exclusion from the Manager of…

BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers supporters are disregarding the primary cause of Dave Roberts’ exclusion from the Manager of…

Dodgers Supporters Are Disregarding the Primary Cause of Dave Roberts’ Exclusion from the Manager of the Year Ballot

The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB) in recent years, have enjoyed remarkable regular-season consistency under **Dave Roberts**. Since taking the helm in 2016, Roberts has led the Dodgers to multiple division titles and a World Series championship in 2020. However, despite the team’s success, Roberts’ exclusion from the 2023 Manager of the Year (MOY) ballot has sparked confusion and frustration among some Dodgers supporters. Many fans are perplexed, especially given the Dodgers’ impressive regular season, where they dominated the National League West, finished with the best record in the NL, and consistently outperformed expectations.

Yet, there’s a deeper reason why Roberts wasn’t considered for the prestigious award in 2023—one that goes beyond surface-level accomplishments and numbers. While Roberts has undeniably been a solid manager in many respects, the primary reason for his exclusion from the Manager of the Year conversation lies in areas where his decisions have not been optimal: **tactical in-game management, roster decisions, and postseason performance**. These factors ultimately influenced the voting process and led to a more critical assessment of his managerial effectiveness.

### The Manager of the Year Award: A Broader Perspective

Before diving into the specifics of Roberts’ exclusion, it’s important to understand how the **Manager of the Year** award is typically determined. The award, which is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), is given to the manager who has done the most outstanding job in guiding their team throughout the regular season. This encompasses not only a team’s overall performance and success but also how the manager navigates challenges, makes strategic decisions, and maximizes the potential of their roster.

A key aspect of the MOY voting is the notion of **surpassing expectations**. While a team’s win total and playoff appearance are important, voters often weigh how a manager has managed to achieve success despite challenges—whether it’s injuries, roster turnover, or underperformance from key players. This is why managers of overachieving teams or those who perform unexpectedly well are often more heavily favored.

In Roberts’ case, the Dodgers were a dominant force in the regular season in 2023. However, the fact that the team remained relatively healthy and had a deeply talented roster created a different type of expectation for the Dodgers. With a payroll consistently among the highest in MLB and a roster full of All-Stars, the bar for Roberts was set high. While his regular-season success was notable, it did not necessarily go above and beyond what would be expected of a manager in his position.

### Tactical and In-Game Management Decisions

One area where Roberts has often been criticized is his **in-game decision-making**. While the Dodgers’ success has been built on a deep roster and strong analytics, Roberts’ use of the bullpen and lineup construction has frequently come under fire. Over the years, many have pointed to his sometimes questionable use of pitchers in high-leverage situations, and a tendency to lean heavily on matchups instead of relying on gut instinct or consistency in certain spots.

In 2023, while Roberts did manage to secure another division title, his handling of pitching rotations and bullpen usage was called into question at several points during the season. The Dodgers’ bullpen, while often among the best in baseball, has had moments of volatility. Roberts’ decision to trust certain pitchers in high-leverage spots has not always yielded the desired results. His tendency to rely on **”lefty-righty matchups”** at the expense of more consistent, high-performing pitchers sometimes led to uncomfortable situations, where favorable outcomes were not maximized. Some critics would argue that Roberts’ reliance on analytics to guide in-game decisions may have come at the expense of more traditional managerial instincts, creating situations where key games were lost or momentum was disrupted at pivotal moments.

### Roster Decisions and Lack of Adaptation

Another aspect where Roberts has been questioned is his **roster management** and the team’s ability to adapt during the season. The Dodgers, as always, had a talented roster in 2023, but not every decision or lineup choice worked out as expected. For example, there was a growing frustration with the way **Chris Taylor** and **Max Muncy** were deployed. Both players had underwhelming seasons at the plate and struggled to regain their form throughout the year, but they continued to receive ample playing time in crucial spots. Some fans and analysts believe that a more dynamic approach to lineup construction—based on hot streaks and player performance rather than past pedigree—would have been more effective.

Additionally, the bench usage was often scrutinized. The Dodgers had an abundance of depth, but Roberts didn’t always utilize this flexibility in ways that maximized his team’s potential. Some of the team’s younger players, like **Miguel Vargas** or **James Outman**, showed promise early in the season but didn’t get the consistent opportunities they might have needed to fully develop or contribute in a meaningful way down the stretch. Had Roberts done a better job balancing veteran experience with younger talent, the team could have been better positioned to take advantage of key matchups in September and beyond.

### Postseason Failures and Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most significant factor that led to Roberts’ exclusion from the Manager of the Year ballot is the Dodgers’ **postseason failure** in 2023. While the regular season was a success, the postseason narrative is often the final chapter in determining a manager’s legacy. For all of Roberts’ regular-season successes, his failure to consistently get the best out of his team in October has overshadowed his accomplishments.

The Dodgers were eliminated early in the 2023 playoffs, falling to the **Arizona Diamondbacks** in a stunning upset. Many observers felt that the Dodgers were poised for another deep postseason run, especially given their dominance in the regular season. However, Roberts’ decisions in the postseason—including bullpen management, lineup construction, and tactical approaches—came under significant scrutiny. Some analysts argued that he failed to make the right adjustments, particularly when the team faced adversity. The Dodgers’ inability to advance deep into the playoffs has further damaged Roberts’ reputation in the eyes of some voters.

In a year where several managers—like **Craig Counsell** of the Milwaukee Brewers, **Brian Snitker** of the Atlanta Braves, and **Bruce Bochy** of the Texas Rangers—were able to guide their teams through adversity and into the postseason, Roberts’ inability to deliver in October proved costly. A Manager of the Year vote is often shaped by how a manager handles both the regular season and the postseason, and with his failure to lead the Dodgers through a deep playoff run, Roberts was seen as falling short of the expectations set by his talented roster.

### Acknowledging the Bigger Picture

While many Dodgers fans will continue to defend Dave Roberts and point to his success during the regular season, it’s essential to consider the broader picture. Regular-season wins and division titles are impressive, but in the eyes of voters, **Manager of the Year** is as much about exceeding expectations and navigating challenges as it is about tallying up victories. Roberts, while certainly deserving of praise for his leadership and consistent success, has not been immune to criticism when it comes to his tactical decisions, his roster management, and his postseason failures.

Dodgers fans are right to be proud of the team’s regular-season success under Roberts, but it’s important to recognize that the exclusion from the Manager of the Year ballot is not a slight but rather a reflection of the areas where Roberts’ management has not lived up to the high standards set by both the team and his peers. The decision is less about disregarding his accomplishments and more about evaluating the full scope of his managerial effectiveness in a year where others excelled in areas Roberts could not. For the Dodgers to succeed beyond the regular season in 2024 and beyond, they will need a manager who can address these areas and lead the team through both the grind of the regular season and the intensity of the postseason.