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.

Just like he's set the standard for regular-season performance, Dave Roberts is about to raise the bar for managerial compensation.

PHOENIX — Just last October, Dave Roberts appeared to be making his last stand. The Los Angeles Dodgers manager risked early elimination for the third consecutive season — down 2-1 in the National League Division Series to the San Diego Padres — and was a loss away from an uncertain future.