MLB Trade Rumors: 7 Rumors That Will Never Become Reality

There have been many rumors over the past few weeks regarding trades around the MLB.

Top players at each position have heard their names spoken in the back alleys of organizational hearsay, sparking the question: Is it really going to happen?

As we approach the July deadline for teams to make something happen in order to bolster their championships odds, more and more rumors are going to surface.

Unfortunately, these MLB trade secrets never have the final say as to whether a top talent gets dealt or stays put.

With that said, based on the rumors that have sparked immediate interest thus far, here are the top eight players who are seemingly immune from landing in a foreign city.

7. Joakim Soria, RP, Kansas City Royals

Trade Rumor: New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies (according to Jayson Stark)

There's no doubt in my mind that Joakim Soria would help a playoff contender solidify their bullpen.

Despite starting 2011 on a rough note, the 27-year-old has pitched like his usual elite self, posting a 1.29 ERA over his last 10 saves.

With that said, considering the Royals are on the fence to becoming a relevant team in the AL Central over the next few years, it's going to be very hard for any MLB team to pry Soria away from Kansas City.

The Royals have already stated that it's going to take two elite starters to make any deal happen, so they're instantly turning smaller markets away.

It seems like the Yankees and Phillies might be the only candidates to pull something off, but don't count on it.

6. Wandy Rodriguez, SP, Houston Astros

Trade Rumor: New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers (according to Jayson Stark)

Yet another instance in which the Yankees get their nose in trade rumors regarding a starting pitching.

But even New York would have trouble juggling Wandy Rodriguez's contract over the next few years, which includes $36 million during that span.

The likelihood that the Houston Astros deal Rodriguez by the July trade deadline is slim to none.

He's their best pitcher, hasn't been productive in the past against AL teams (5.25 lifetime ERA) and would require any potential suitor to give up more than they want.

Also considering he's never made a postseason start, Rodriguez is more likely to stay in an Astros uniform and wait for an exit in 2012.

5. Heath Bell or Mike Adams, San Diego Padres

Trade Rumor: Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals (according to Jayson Stark)

The San Diego Padres have two relief pitchers that the majority of MLB teams would love to have: Heath Bell and Mike Adams.

While it's likely at least one of these guys gets moved, whether to a team listed above or an outside suitor like the Atlanta Braves, it's more than impossible that both pitchers leave San Diego in 2011.

Bell and Adams have become one of the best one-two bullpen punches in the MLB, if not the best, combing for five wins, 29 SV, 85.1 IP, 75 K's, a 0.90 WHIP and an outstanding 1.83 ERA.

While the Padres have made it clear that Bell is more likely to be dealt to a playoff contending instead of Adams, nothing is out of the question when you're dealing with top MLB teams and their willingness to win and win now.

Just don't count on both guys leaving town.  It would be pretty irresponsible for management to lose two of the top 10 relievers in the league this year.

4. B.J. Upton, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Trade Rumor: Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies (according to Buster Olney)

While it's skeptical that the non-playoff-bound Nationals would try and go out and trade for somebody like B.J. Upton, it makes a lot of sense for the Tampa Bay Rays to move him.

With that said, besides what the Phillies may have to offer (maybe Dominic Brown), Tampa Bay's asking price is probably way too high.

Upton has arguably been a bust compared to his lofty expectations since his first full season in 2007, but the fact remains that he's a 26-year-old speedster who has shown in postseason past that he can take over a series (four HR and 11 RBI in the 2008 ALCS).

Pair that up with the potential of him becoming a 30-40 offensive threat, it culminates into one heck of an asking price.

3. Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Colorado Rockies

Trade Rumor: New York Yankees and potentially a starter-starved contender (according to NY Post)

There have been many rumors revolving around Ubaldo Jimenez being shipped out of Colorado over the past week or so.

Jimenez is the Rockies' best starter, despite his awful start to the season, and showed last year that he's capable of producing like a top-10 option in all of baseball.

Considering his talent, youth and willingness to stay around, it doesn't make much sense why the team would trade away their best asset behind Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.

Also when you take into account that Colorado is notoriously a second-half team and is currently only five games below .500, it seems as if these rumors are more dream-worthy than realistic.

2. James Shields, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Trade Rumor: Testing the waters (according to Jayson Stark)

According to Buster Olney, the Tampa Bay Rays will not trade starting pitcher James Shields to their divisional rivals, the New York Yankees.

As for other teams, it's possible.

The Rays have made some movements over the past few days that would indicate a possible trade in the near future.

But why?

Shields has easily had his best season in his six-year career, posting a 2.53 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP, 151 K, and seven CG through 21 starts.

Trading him now, considering the Rays are currently five games out of a wild-card playoff spot, would mean the team is simply abandoning ship in 2011.

It's still unclear how serious these rumors are, but the only possible reasons in why the team would part ways with their best pitcher this season (albeit David Price) is the future of their young starters Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Cobb and Matt Moore.

Trusting young talents like that to bolster production lost from an elite veteran seems like a move better left for a season in which Tampa Bay is clearly out of contention.

1. Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros

Trade Rumor: Philadelphia Phillies (according to SI.com)

This all comes down to: How valuable do contenders think Hunter Pence is?

He's clearly been the Houston Astros' best hitter over the past year-and-a-half, as well as holding the promise to continue to be that figure over the next five seasons, but how much is too much?

It seems as if the Astros are looking to be blown away in order to move their 28-year-old outfielder.

While Pence is on pace for a career-high 100 RBI, his home runs totals have dipped since 2010, his strikeouts are up and walks are down, and he's currently on pace to steal only 11 bases in 2011.

Hardly the "elite" production that's going to warrant the three young prospects that Houston is looking for in return.

It's going to be interesting to see what Philadelphia, or an outside team like the Pittsburgh Pirates or San Francisco Giants, might package together in order to whisk Pence away from Texas.

With that said, don't count on the All-Star switching teams in the near future; he's not worth it.