How long before a fan base can truly let bygones be bygones?

In a recent edition of the “Just Baseball Show” podcast, Peter Appel and co-hosts Jack McMullen and Aram Leighton were discussing trades involving superstars.

Spurred by the recent Rafael Devers blockbuster, the MLB analysts were opining about other big-name players who could potentially switch teams, and Appel had a thought about someone who could fill a need for the Los Angeles Dodgers: Carlos Correa.

“Could Correa be a player that the Dodgers at least call [about]?” Appel wondered. “Now, I don’t know if the Twins would do it, I don’t know what a package would look like, but if the Twins start to falter a little bit, that’s a dude.”

Acquiring Carlos Correa Could Allow Dodgers to Put Mookie Betts in Outfield

On the surface, Appel’s suggestion has merit.

Mookie Betts has been playing shortstop for the Dodgers, but acquiring Correa would allow manager Dave Roberts to move Betts back into the outfield to replace Michael Conforto, who has struggled mightily this season.

And while the 30-year-old Correa has underwhelmed this season, slashing .257/.302/.378 through 66 games, he is a three-time All-Star with a lot of postseason success in his career.

“You bring him to LA with his postseason and pedigree to compete with the Giants who just brought over Devers? Oh no,” Appel exclaimed.

Funny, because “oh no” might be the reaction of some Dodgers fans if the team were to make a trade for Correa.

As McMullen reminded Appel, Correa was a key cog in the Houston Astros team that beat Los Angeles in the 2017 World Series.

It would become a tainted win for the Astros after allegations of sign stealing, with penalties levied against several members of the organization, and Correa, who remained “defiantly unrepentant” and angry in attempting to defend himself.

“The Yankee fan base and the Dodger fan base hate Correa because he sunk his teeth into this,” McMullen stressed.

Dodgers Fans Held Grudge Against Carlos Correa for 2017 World Series

But have the wounds not healed? The Dodgers went on to win two World Series titles in the years since Correa and the Astros captured the trophy, and Appel said he believes it would all be water under the bridge.

“I think Dodger fans will be like, ‘It’s been so long, if you can come over and help us, we don’t care,’” Appel said. “And when he comes over, he will help them.”

Of course, that’s “if” he comes over, and there’s no telling how the Twins plan to approach this trade deadline.

At 37-41 overall, Minnesota is 11.5 games behind Detroit for first place in the AL Central division, but only 3.5 games out of the third and final wild card spot.

However, there are five other teams between the Twins and that spot, with FanGraphs giving them a 27.9% chance to make the playoffs.

And Minnesota would certainly love to take at least part of Correa’s contract off their books.

With Correa owed a little over $128 million over the next 3.5 years, the Dodgers could negotiate some cash to offset the salary, depending on the quality of the players in return.

Or if a lower-tier prospect is involved, Los Angeles could absorb much of what Correa is due to earn.

As long as the fans are willing to accept him into the fold.