Would the Dodgers really trade Yasiel Puig?

Of course they would. They’re in the business of winning. They’d trade Stan Kasten’s first born if they thought they were getting enough back in return.

Only they’re not going to, so despite all those ramped-up rumors of Puig being dealt prior to Friday’s nonwaiver trade deadline for a starting pitcher, don’t expect it.

Puig has become the Dodgers’ new Matt Kemp, pre-2011. This ridiculously talented player who can’t seem to live up to his enormous potential, who divides fans and teammates by his inconsistent play on the field, on the bases and in pregame preparation.

For years July 31 brought annual Kemp trade rumors. Then he had his monstrous 2011 season and you suddenly never heard them any longer. You barely heard them even before he was traded this last off-season.

Puig exploded on the scene in 2013, this exciting whirlwind of energy and power and arm strength. You never knew what he would do, good or bad, but he put together an impressive .925 OPS in his rookie season.

Only he’s proceeded to slip in his two seasons since. This year he missed six weeks to a hamstring injury, but has an OPS of .769. He’s hitting .259 with six home runs and 22 RBIs. Manager Don Mattingly lately has taken to batting him sixth, which is not exactly the spot you place one of your best bats. That’s the kind of player who can be dealt.

And now come Internet reports this week from Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports and Jon Heyman at CBS Sports about growing rumors that Puig could be traded, or at least not traded. Puig was so bothered by the rumors that Heyman said he approached the Dodgers, who assured him that he would not be dealt this trading season.

Which means they want to keep him, but if somebody comes up with offer that blows them away ….

As Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter told The Times’ Dylan Hernandez earlier this month: “I wouldn’t give up on him now. I think he’s going to be a great player.”

Puig is still only 24 years old. And although he’s hit just .195 in his last 34 games, there is no denying that the incredible talent is still there. It’s true the Dodgers have a surplus of outfielders, but three of them are left-handed, and Andre Ethier is 33 and Carl Crawford turns 34 in 10 days.

Puig is not in the lineup again Saturday night against Mets right-hander Matt Harvey, which only shows Mattingly has a greater willingness to sit Puig if he’s not producing. That’s as it should be with a team trying to win, but this comes the day after he homered. Puig previously homered Tuesday against the Braves and then also sat the next game. Kind of a weird way to get a guy going.

Where he is not going is to another team. He was signed to what now is a very reasonable, seven-year, $42-million contract, with three more seasons left to it after this one. That could provide three more years of rumors.

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