MLB Trade Rumors: 'Fact or Fiction' on Every Hot Waiver Rumor

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Although the MLB trade deadline has already passed, that does not mean that teams cannot continue to make moves to try to improve their rosters as they attempt to reach the postseason.

There are not as many MLB trade rumors or eventual deals in August, but there is certainly still the potential that a big name or two could get moved.

Players have already switched teams in August, as the San Francisco Giants picked up reliever Jose Mijares on waivers from the Kansas City Royals (h/t Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star).

The following will look at some of the latest MLB rumors and try to prove them as either fact or fiction.

Carlos Lee

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The Miami Marlins believed that they had a chance to make the playoffs this season when they went out and acquired Carlos Lee from the Houston Astros. Things have changed quickly.

Miami is no longer a playoff contender, and they could look to get rid of Lee according to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. Lee has put up decent numbers this season, and some team may be willing to take a shot on having Lee as their fourth outfielder/big bench bat for the rest of the year.

Miami trades Carlos Lee: FACT

Alfonso Soriano

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Alfonso Soriano was once one of the best players in baseball and a perennial All-Star. While he is still being paid as such, his best days are behind him.

The Chicago Cubs tried to deal Soriano to the San Francisco Giants before the 2012 MLB trade deadline, but he rejected the deal (h/t Phil Rogers, Los Angeles Times). That does not mean that the Cubs will not be able to move Soriano. Anthony Witrado of Sporting News considers Soriano to be an August trade candidate.

It seems very unlikely that Soriano will be dealt this year because of all of the money that is left on his deal. The Cubs will need to eat a large chunk of the $54 million owed to Soriano over the next three years if they are going to move him.

Alfonso Soriano is dealt: FICTION

Scott Hairston

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Scott Hairston is having one of the best seasons of his career with the New York Mets. He has impressed them with his power stroke.

Hairston was a trade target prior to the deadline, but he stayed put. Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated believes that he could be on the move in August.

The Mets may have a reason to not trade Hairston: They are considering re-signing him to play with them once again next year (h/t Navin Vaswani of CBS Sports).

Scott Hairston is traded: FICTION

Josh Beckett

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Josh Beckett's struggles are one of the reasons why the Boston Red Sox found themselves in the cellar of the American League East earlier this year. Boston has turned things around, but Beckett has not.

Anthony Witrado of Sporting News has identified Beckett as a possible August trade target. The Red Sox likely will not be willing to give up Beckett unless they can get an intriguing prospect in return.

Josh Beckett will be traded: FICTION

Jeff Francoeur

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The Kansas City Royals are still building for the future, and they will be competitive very soon. It seems as if having Jeff Francoeur start in 2013 does not fit into the Royals' plans for the future.

Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated has noted that Francoeur could be traded in August. Kansas City would likely take what they could get for him as long as it allowed them to free themselves of the $7.5 million Francoeur is owed next year.

Jeff Francoeur is traded: FACT