By now there isn’t a Dodger fan on the planet who isn’t aware that third baseman Justin Turner becomes a free agent at the conclusion of the 2016 season. And while there is zero doubt that the extremely popular redhead absolutely loves being a Dodger, the cold hard truth is that the 31-year-old Long Beach, California native and former Cal State Fullerton Titan may become too expensive for the Dodgers to keep.

Or will he?

On Monday, MLB.com columnist Jon Paul Morosi reported through “sources” that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was deep into trade talks with the Tampa Bay Rays, the team for whom Friedman was the general manager for nearly a decade. And though the popular belief is that any possible trade with the Rays is centered around right-hander Chris Archer, Morosi brought up another name that immediately piqued the interest of Dodger fans – three-time All-Star, 2008 AL Rookie of the Year and two-time Gold Glove third baseman Evan Longoria.

Although Morosi’s tweet was obviously intended to be a click tease, the veteran journalist readily admits that there is absolutely nothing to substantiate any notion that Rays general manager (and Friedman’s close friend) Matthew Silverman has any intention whatsoever of including Longoria in any trade deals. I mean let’s face it, he is the Rays franchise. In fact, his six-year – $100 million contract extension doesn’t even begin until 2017 and includes an option for a seventh year in 2023.

That being said, there is no denying that the AL East last-place Tampa Bay Rays – who trail the first-place Baltimore Orioles by 18.5 games – aren’t going anywhere this season and perhaps several seasons to come with their poorly-attended, bottom-of-the-market franchise with a rather weak farm system … with or without Evan Longoria. As such, a salary dump – and his would be a huge one – isn’t entirely beyond the realm of possibility.

In his two-plus seasons with the Dodgers Turner has been among the best hitters in the game, with a combined .297 batting average, .370 on-base percentage, .482 slugging percentage and .852 OPS since being acquired on February 5, 2014 when the New York Mets declined to tender him a contract. This past January the Dodger did tender him a one-year contract worth $5.1 million, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Needless to say, this was a heck of a bargain and money well spent.

Through his 89 games thus far this season, Turner is hitting .261 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs; however, in his last 30 games he is hitting .325 with 10 of those home runs and 29 of those RBIs. In other words, he is as red-hot as his beard right now – a very good thing when you are in your walk year.

Over the past 30 games there isn’t a Dodger with more home runs, more RBIs or a higher slugging percentage than Justin Turner. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Realistically, there is no way that Turner will command (or at least get) a free agent contract anywhere near Longoria’s six-year – $100 million contract, nor should he. But when you consider that Turner will be 32 in November and Longoria 31 in October, do the Dodgers want to spend any money on Turner when they could apply it towards landing one of the best third basemen in the game? Add to this the fact that the Downey, California native is having one of the best seasons of his career with a slash-line of .286 / .366 / .533 / .869, 21 home runs and 50 RBIs, and it’s hard not to get excited at the mere thought – rumor or otherwise –  of landing the former Cal State Long Beach Dirtbag and lifelong Dodger fan.

Here again, all of this Evan Longoria talk is nothing more than pure speculation – although with some justifiable merit to it – and there has been absolutely zero talk by the Dodgers or Justin Turner (or his agent) about a free agent contract extension, nor is there likely to be prior to season’s end. But to be perfectly honest, Turner has more than proven that he deserves a shot at a lucrative free agent contract … regardless of who it is with.