MLB Free Agency 2013: Playing Fact or Fiction with All the Hottest Rumors

Even though the free-agent market is dwindling, there are still a handful of very solid names available to Major League Baseball teams.

As a result of this continuing activity, there are still rumors floating around. They have been there all winter, and they are not going to stop now.

However, only certain rumors make sense. Sometimes things are said even though it seems like the practicality of such a move is virtually zero.

Here are five rumors that active right now, and let's play a little bit of fact or fiction with each one.

Michael Bourn to the New York Mets?

It would be definitely be interesting for the New York Mets to sign Michael Bourn, but I would have to say that this one is most likely fiction.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the talks had taken place, but he also perceived the deal as a long shot.

In general, this deal would not help the Mets long-term, and that should be where they are focused right now. It is obvious that the National League East is highly competitive right now, and the odds of the New York Mets competing in 2013 with or without Bourn are slim.

Rather than invest all of this money, they should make the decision to continue rebuilding and get younger.

Kyle Lohse to the Texas Rangers?

The Texas Rangers seem like the type of team that will spend whatever they want to hit their targets, and I think that bringing in Kyle Lohse could become a fact.

Kevin Sherrington of SportsDay DFW posed this idea in his column, and it actually does make a great deal of sense.

Obviously the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made another huge splash this winter by stealing away Josh Hamilton. However, the Texas Rangers lineup will survive without him.

Last season, their rotation needed support, and another respectable and consistent arm would help a lot.

Brian Wilson to the New York Mets?

Brian Wilson became a fixture in the San Francisco Giants bullpen, but the idea that he might move to the New York Mets very well could become a fact.

Marc Craig of NewsDay reported that the Mets were looking at the closer, who is looking to make a comeback from injury this season.

Even though I just got done saying that the Mets need to bring in pieces to help build the future, they still need to put a team on the field right now. Wilson will not be in a strong bargaining position, but he could return to his All-Star form.

If the worst case happens and Wilson doesn't work out, then that will not have invested very much money, and the loss would be minimal. However, maybe it will turn out well.

Scott Rolen to the Los Angeles Dodgers?

As much as I like Scott Rolen, I have to say that this one is probably fiction.

The Los Angeles Dodgers seem to have no limits this winter, and it was not surprising to read from Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that they now want more depth.

However, Rolen is a former All-Star, and part of me wonders if he will want to go to a team where he will start out as a backup. If there are no better options, I am sure that he would play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he will probably look for a better option first.

Joe Saunders to the Seattle Mariners?

The Seattle Mariners have made some major changes this winter, and one of those deals involved sending starting pitcher Jason Vargas to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Adding another veteran arm would make a lot of sense, so I think that this would be a fact.

Now, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that the Mariners are indeed interested in the left-hander.

Although it is incredibly hard to compete in the American League West, if the Mariners are able to put together enough effective yet underrated pieces, they might be able to turn into the Baltimore Orioles of last year.

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