10 Boston Red Sox Rumors You'll Hear This Winter but Shouldn't Believe

Let's start this off right this offseason.

The Boston Red Sox will be involved in a plethora of moves, but there are some free agents who the Red Sox may be rumored to be involved with. These free agents are those who want over-valued deals and the Red Sox will not shell out a lot of cash this coming winter.

All these players are from the Top 50 List created by Keith Law on ESPN.com for ESPN Insider.

Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton is probably the most sought after outfielder in the entire baseball world thanks to his ability to play the field and the raw power in his bat.

However, rumors will begin to swirl that the Red Sox are involved in contract talks with the free agent, but the Red Sox would not want to deal with a huge contract like Hamilton will receive for several seasons. Also, his off-the-field issues will be a put off for Red Sox Nation.

B.J. Upton

There is no way the Red Sox would want to sign a player from the Tampa Bay Rays to a long-term deal after the deal with Carl Crawford did not pan out.

Sure, B.J. Upton has the potential to make big plays in the field or get that big hit, but he is not worth a long-term deal worth over $15 million per season for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox are better off going with a prospect than signing someone like Upton.

Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke is worth somewhere between $16-18 million per season whenever he signs and the Red Sox will be in the discussion from the first day.

However, these will just be rumors since Greinke has said that he would rather pitch for a small market and the Boston media will harp on him if he even has one bad start.

The Red Sox need a reliable middle of the rotation starter until their pitching prospects can get the chance to sign.

Melky Cabrera

Melky Cabrera is another outfielder that the Red Sox will want to take a look at, since he won't be worth too much after a suspension for PEDs.

However, the Red Sox will look elsewhere for outfield help. Someone who can play long term instead of the "Melkman" and the rumors will just keep circulating around the 28-year-old.

Kevin Youkilis

Before Kevin Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox in June, he spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox.

Sure, he could be utilized as a first baseman, but the Red Sox won't want to be involved with a player trending downward or a player who seems to be out of touch with his former self.

Youk is that guy and the Red Sox will sign someone else who can play everyday at first.

Shane Victorino

The Phillies traded away the "Flying Hawaiian" to the Dodgers and now he is a coveted outfielder in the free-agent market.

The Red Sox' name will be thrown in rumors, but Shane Victorino will not be coming to Boston anytime soon. The big deal days of the Red Sox are over and the 32-year-old wants a long-term deal done and to stay in a market as long as he possibly can.

Marco Scutaro

Marco Scutaro was traded from the Red Sox to the Colorado Rockies the offseason before this season, but that won't stop the rumor mill from turning out the idea that the Red Sox need a fill-in until Xander Bogaerts can take over.

The Giants won't let their NLCS MVP slip through their fingers and the Red Sox are almost hung up on Jose Iglesias at short. Plus, Scutaro doesn't have the range to play short everyday anymore.

Jose Valverde

The Red Sox are in the market for bullpen help, but Jose Valverde is not the answer.

The Red Sox may be in rumors circulating around the 35-year-old, but there is no way the Red Sox will sign someone who blew a 4-0 lead to the New York Yankees and doesn't see them 18 or 19 times a season.

Russell Martin

The Red Sox are looking for a catcher to supplant Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who better than Russell Martin?

The rumors began a couple off seasons ago with Martin and the Red Sox and maybe it is time the 30-year-old is given a shot.

Not in this lifetime.

The Yankees still need a catcher for now and they will do anything they can to re-sign Martin.

Stephen Drew

Stephen Drew is an everyday shortstop who wants a couple of years on a new deal, but will the Red Sox give him that?

There may be rumors out there about the infielder, but the Red Sox will not sign someone who wants more than a two-year deal with prospects in the wings.