Dodgers Surprised Dave Roberts Spilled Beans on Shohei Ohtani Meeting

It appears manager Dave Roberts telling the media about the Dodgers’ meeting with Shohei Ohtani was not part of the plan.

It appears manager Dave Roberts telling the media about the Dodgers’ meeting with Shohei Ohtani was not part of the organization’s plan.

Roberts opened his media session Tuesday at the MLB winter meetings stating Los Angeles met with the two-way superstar a few days ago and that the conversations “went well.”

Shortly after Roberts’ press conference wrapped up, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said he was surprised the manager mentioned meeting with Ohtani. 

Brandon Gomes said repeatedly he wouldn’t comment on Dave Roberts saying the Dodgers met with Shohei Ohtani. Said he can’t comment on free agents, but didn’t want to say if Roberts violated any rules in doing so. He said he was surprised when he saw the comments.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 5, 2023

Roberts’ comments came as a surprise due to Ohtani’s reported preference to keep his free-agent meetings quiet.

"If there is one thing to know about Shohei Ohtani's free agency, it's that you are unlikely to know much about it until he signs somewhere," ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported in November. "If visits between Ohtani and a team are reported publicly, it will be held against the team, so the circles will be tiny and tight."

Ohtani’s next destination is unknown, but the five reported finalists to acquire the Japanese superstar are the Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Blue Jays and Cubs.