MLB Trade Deadline 2012: Rumored Trade Targets Who Will Stay Put

Sometimes a rumor is just that. 

Sometimes—nay, probably all the time—you will hear or read about your team getting set to trade its beloved star. 

You'll go through the natural steps. Disbelief. Denial. Hatred of your team. Inevitably, after lots of heated debates, acceptance.

Then, the July 31 MLB trade deadline comes and goes, and that favorite player who you've already said your goodbyes to is still on the team. 

It always happens, and with the deadline approaching, you can expect it to happen again.

With that being said, let's take a look at some hot trade candidates who won't change teams this year. 

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

It wouldn't be the month of July if rumors weren't flying around about Jack Zduriencik listening to offers for stud pitcher Felix Hernandez.

But just like the past year or two, these rumors, once again, will turn out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. 

The Mariners are in rebuilding mode, and trading their ace would certainly be a good way to kick-start that process, but it just isn't going to happen. Hernandez is too good, owned for too long and means too much to city of Seattle for the Mariners to ship him off now, especially if the package isn't 100 percent perfect. 

The Mariners have a lot of pitching in the farm system and a lack of hitting, so don't be surprised if they do deal a starter. Just don't expect it to be Hernandez, no matter what the fans of top teams will try to tell you. 

Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

The trade rumors for Justin Upton were in full force about a week ago, and they won't go away until July 31 comes and goes, but it sounds like the star outfielder won't be going anywhere this summer (according to Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic):

"

(Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken) Kendrick, speaking from his vacation home in Colorado, said it's a "reasonable assumption" Upton will be a Diamondback the rest of the season.

"

It makes sense.

The Diamondbacks, who sit just four-and-a-half games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in the NL West, don't need to become sellers at the deadline, and if they do become sellers, Upton isn't the player to give away.

The guy is just 24 years old and is coming off a season in which he hit .289 and blasted 31 home runs en route to finishing fourth in MVP voting. He's been pretty bad this year, sure, but that just means the D-Backs would be selling low on him.

Josh Johnson, Miami Marlins

With Cole Hamels signing an extension, Zack Greinke being traded to the Angels and Matt Garza likely staying put, Josh Johnson is the best arm on the market (and according to ESPN's Buster Olney, he is on the market).

But much like Upton, this would be the Marlins selling Johnson at his lowest point. He is still owned for another year-and-a-half and has looked better in the last two months, regardless of his recent six-walk outing, but the Marlins ace is having the worst season he's had in a while. 

Now throw in the fact that the Marlins want the world for him (via ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick):

"

We're talking Jurickson Profar-Travis D'Arnaud types just to get talks moving, then a lot more beyond that. #marlins

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 27, 2012"

Yeah, right. 

Johnson is terrific, but his value isn't that high right now. As long as the Marlins keep their word, don't expect the 28-year-old to leave Miami.

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