Report: Dodgers to hire Dave Roberts as manager

The final vacant managerial job in the majors is on the verge of being filled.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to hire Dave Roberts as manager, according to multiple sources.

Roberts, 43, will be the first minority manager in the franchise's history, and the team is expected to officially announce the hiring at some point Monday.

The deal is for three years with an option for a fourth year, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the press conference is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his front office conducted a thorough interviewing process, taking as many as 10 candidates into consideration. However, Roberts and Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler reportedly made the strongest impressions with team brass. Kirk Gibson, Bud Black, Darin Erstad, and Ron Roenicke were also notables vying for the position.

Roberts, who has only one game of managerial experience, worked under Dodgers vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes when Byrnes served as general manager of the San Diego Padres from 2011-14. Roberts joined the Padres' coaching staff in 2011 as a first-base coach before transitioning to the team's bench coach, and also enjoyed a 10-year career as an outfielder with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Dodgers, and Padres.

The Seattle Mariners were "very close" to naming Roberts their new manager after firing Lloyd McClendon, according to a source close to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. But the club tabbed Scott Servais with the honor instead.

Don Mattingly and the Dodgers agreed to part ways on Oct. 22. He compiled a 446-363 record over five years in Los Angeles, and guided the Dodgers to three straight National League West titles before being named the new manager of the Miami Marlins. Mattingly's ultimate downfall, however, was his inability to win in the playoffs, and get the team - a club with one of the highest payrolls in baseball - to the World Series.