Report: Several execs believe Longoria will be traded before April

Trading Evan Longoria becomes a lot more complicated for the Tampa Bay Rays when the calendar flips to April.

The veteran third baseman will earn 10-and-5 rights in the early stages of the upcoming season, and that has led some rival executives to believe the Rays will trade Longoria before he lands a full no-trade clause, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Rays' front office has been listening to offers on Longoria, Chris Archer, and Alex Colome this winter as the club potentially prepares to enter a rebuild following a fourth straight losing season.

Longoria has five years and $86 million remaining on his deal, so moving him certainly makes sense for a Rays side that's always been among the league's lowest payroll teams.

While dealing Longoria would be an understandable decision from a business standpoint, it will be a tough sell in Tampa. The three-time All-Star has spent his entire career with the Rays, and ranks first in games played, runs, doubles, home runs, and RBIs in franchise history.

The St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and New York Yankees are among the teams looking for third-base help. The Cardinals appear to be the most aggressive team in search for a third baseman, but seemingly have their sights set on either Josh Donaldson or Manny Machado at this point in the offseason.