Latest Trea Turner rumors are worst-case scenario for Dodgers fans

Dodgers fans may have to watch as free agent shortstop Trea Turner signs with a hated rival if the latest rumors are true.

Trea Turner has hit the free agent market and one of the teams he’s looking at is not a welcome development for Dodgers fans.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Trea Turner has been meeting with the San Diego Padres.

“The Padres have had two in-person meetings with Trea Turner, sources tell me and ⁦@Ken_Rosenthal⁩,” Lin tweeted. “San Diego appears to have legitimate interest in signing the star shortstop.”

Latest Trea Turner rumors are worst-case scenario for Dodgers fans

It’s not clear if the Dodgers want to get into a bidding war for Turner, so there’s a decent chance he will sign elsewhere. It’s just that San Diego is the last place fans in Los Angeles would prefer him to go.

The Padres are a rival in the NL West. Turner would strengthen them even if he’s not front and center in LA’s free agency plans. That’s the last thing the Dodgers need. It would be better if he landed with the Phillies, who are also in the running to pick up his services.

On the other hand, maybe Dodgers fans should welcome the Padres spending money on a player like Turner when they’re already pretty set at shortstop with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim. Tatis Jr.’s situation is complicated, of course, but Turner isn’t the most needed addition for their squad and he’s bound to cost a pretty penny.