Dodgers: One MLB Pundit Calls Justin Turner the Perfect Future Manager

From the moment Justin Turner signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers, his career was changed forever. He became a fan favorite incredibly quickly, with several career-defining moments in six short years in Los Angeles. 

With everything Justin Turner has done for the city and for the young players on the team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him coaching soon. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see Turner take a front-office job when his playing career, as the 35-yeard-old infielder approaches the end of his career. While the Dodgers appear to have a manager in place for the foreseeable future, one MLB pundit said that JT represents the perfect managerial candidate.

MLB writer Ken Gurnick elaborates. 

Justin Turner not only qualifies as the perfect Dodgers player, but he checks the most important boxes for manager material. In the clubhouse, he’s a leader, a communicator, and he has been a high performer on the game’s biggest stage. He overcame the failure of being non-tendered to develop into an All-Star with a gamer approach. He’s a product of the analytics generation, handles the media deftly and relates to any culture. Maybe the only box unchecked is whether he wants (or needs) the aggravation of being a manager, because when he’s done playing, he’ll have greater financial security than any current manager.

If Turner wanted to go into coaching after his career, it’s safe to say that the Dodgers would be more than willing to consider. Retired guys like Chase Utley and Andre Ethier have served in some capacity as on-field instructors in the years following their retirement. 

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Turner has been incredibly active in the community of Los Angeles since he signed with the Dodgers. Moreover, the Turner family has been incredibly active during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing thousands of meals for people in need. 

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