The Los Angeles Dodgers are starting the 2026 MLB season off with their sights set on a three-peat. Manager Dave Roberts and star two-way player, Shohei Ohtani made sure to boost team morale hours before their Opening Day matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
* a bottle of Traveller whiskey from Dave Roberts
* a $4,000 Seiko watch from Shohei Ohtani, complete with a note: “Let’s three-peat.”
Shohei Ohtani recently embarked on a global partnership with Grand Seiko. He gifted each Dodger a watch that read “Let’s Three-Peat.”
Dave Roberts also added to the Opening Day goodie bag by throwing in a bottle of whiskey.
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Dave Roberts And Shohei Ohtani Look To Reward Their Players Ahead Of Desired Three-Peat
The Los Angeles Dodgers retained many of the same players who were on the 2025 and 2024 championship teams. However, players like infielder Miguel Rojas, are entering their last season.
Rojas shared his gratitude for Shohei Ohtani and Dave Roberts in warm-ups.
“He gave me a truly magnificent watch. He is a wonderful human being, both on and off the field. I will cherish it for the rest of my life as a memento—a reminder that ‘the world’s greatest player gave me a watch at the start of the 2026 season,’” Rojas said, per Masata Kotani via an X post in Japanese.
“Included with it was a short note that read: ‘Let’s go for the three-peat.’ That is the mentality shared by everyone in this clubhouse,” Rojas said. “It won’t be an easy road, but we will take on this challenge with a sense of responsibility, staying true to who we are.”
The Dodgers are not even one full day of the 2026 MLB season are already setting a precedent for organizations across the league.
There is constant discourse amongst fans and players about the Dodgers spending habits, but it’s hard to fault free agents for wanting to sign with the Dodgers given their reputation surrounding how they treat their players.
In 2026, the Dodgers are attempting one of the hard feats in professional sports, winning back-to-back-to-back championships. In the MLB, that feat has only been conquered four times.
While most reigning champs have targets on their backs, the Dodgers may have the biggest. MLB.com reporter Sonja Chen, discusses how Dave Roberts is approaching the new season, sharing that the team needs to “be a greyhound.”
“Just looking forward,” Roberts said. “There’s going to be distractions, but we just got to keep our blinders on and not worry about who’s to the side of us and who’s chasing us.”
Shohei Ohtani Looking to Three-Peat as NL MVP
Ohtani is jumping into his eighth professional season with four MVPs and two World Series rings. However, the pressure is on more than ever.
The Dodgers have yet to use Ohtani for his full potential of two-way power. This will be mark the start of Ohtani’s first full pitching season with Los Angeles.
The international superstar secured his last two MVP awards solely as a designated hitter. Ohtani recorded 55 home runs, 102 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and a .282 batting average in 2025.
Scooby Axson of USA Today writes, “In the NL, Ohtani is the overwhelming favorite, especially if he returns to the mound in 2026 and could become the second player to win four straight MVP awards after Barry Bonds from 2001-2004.”
Ohtani looks to take the mound on Friday, March 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 P.M. PT.
Dodgers Get Big Surprise From Shohei Ohtani Hours Before Game