Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani announcement, Dave Roberts extension, Roki Sasaki

Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko Tanaka are expecting their first child together, the Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player announced via Instagram on Dec. 28.

The couple's dog, Decoy, is prominently featured in the announcement alongside a onesie and some baby New Balances. Ohtani captioned the photo: "can't wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!"

2024 has been quite the year for Ohtani, on and off the field. He announced his marriage to Tanaka in Feb., just weeks before the first season of his 10-year megadeal with the Dodgers. During the season. he became the first player to collect at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same year, earned his third MVP award and won his first World Series.

Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka are expecting their first child together

Tanaka is a former professional basketball player in the Women's Japan Basketball League. The young Ohtani seems destined to become an athletic powerhouse in whichever sport they choose.

Dodgers expected to discuss extension with longtime skipper Dave Roberts

The Dodgers are expected to approach longtime manager Dave Roberts to discuss a contract extension, per Jack Harris of Los Angeles Times.

Roberts has managed the Dodgers since 2016, and the team has eight division titles and two World Series in that time. The skipper signed a three-year contract extension with Los Angeles in 2022 and the upcoming 2025 slate is the final year of that deal. The Dodgers do not intend to let Roberts reach free agency and wisely plan to lock him up before his most recent extension expires.

Former Brewers manager Craig Counsell signed a record-breaking managerial contract — five years, $40 million — with the Cubs during the 2023-24 offseason. Based on their recent spending and Roberts' success in Dodger Blue, Los Angeles is sure to blow that contract out of the water to keep its success going as long as possible.

The Dodgers have met with Japanese flamethrower Roki Sasaki

Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has until Jan. 23 to sign with an MLB team for the 2025 campaign. The Dodgers have long been considered favorites to land the 23-year-old flamethrower, and they recently became the sixth team to meet with him.

Los Angeles met with Sasaki on Dec. 28 after the Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Giants had already courted the ace. The Dodgers probably won't be the last club to meet with Sasaki — since he can only sign a minor league deal, Sasaki's services will be affordable to even the smallest market teams. The Padres have been another popular rumored destination for the righty, but they have not been awarded a meeting with him yet if recent reports are up to date.

Sasaki can't sign a contract until the international signing period opens on Jan. 15, which only gives teams nine days to secure a deal before the deadline. If Sasaki is willing to sign with a big market team, the Dodgers should not be a hard sell given the team's recent success and current crop of Japanese stars.