MLB Trade Rumors: Felix Hernandez and Other Rumors You Shouldn't Believe

The playoff race is packed tight this year, meaning there will be more teams looking to trade for help at the deadline in order to make a playoff a push. 

As the trade deadline approaches, rumors will become more numerous and more ridiculous. Here are some of the rumors that will not come to fruition by July 31.

5. Gio Gonzalez

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CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 11: Gio Gonzalez # 47 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox on June 11, 2011 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

Gio Gonzalez has been one of the only Athletics' pitchers able to stay healthy, while flashing dominant stuff.  Gonzalez is a rare type of pitcher—he is a lefty that can rack up strikeouts and and rack up innings. 

Brandon McCarthy and Tyson Ross should soon be off the DL for the Athletics, but both pitchers have a history of injuries. Rich Harden is rumored to be coming back soon from injury, but Harden personifies the injury prone pitcher.  Moreover, Brett Anderson has made his annual DL trip for elbow soreness.

The A's badly need hitting, but trading their most reliable pitcher is not the way to go about getting it.

4. Dan Haren

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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 24: Dan Haren #24 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during the game at Angel Stadium on May 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

Haren and his teammate, Jered Weaver, (see next slide) have been involved in persistent rumors. Why? I'm not quite sure. 

The Angels are perfectly solvent; they have enough money to pay both pitchers and each are under their control past this year.  The trade rumors surrounding these two are the type that really boggles the mind. 

(continue on to the next slide...)

3. Jered Weaver

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SEATTLE - JUNE 14: Starting pitcher Jered Weaver #36 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim smiles in the dugout at the end of the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 14, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Weaver threw a complete

The Angels have an offensive future on the horizon, but they do not have any young pitching beyond Tyler Chatwood.  Kendry Morales will return to the lineup for the Angels next year and so will world-beating prospect Mike Trout.  

If the Angels trade away one of these guys, they are jeopardizing the future of this team for years to come.  The best pitcher this off-season, assuming Sabathia returns to the Yankees, will be Mark Buerhle. The Angels have no way, or no reason, to replace Weaver or Haren.

Moreover, they may be able to add Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols in addition to Trout and Morales next year, and they could also add offense by trading Ervin Santana, as opposed to Haren or Weaver.

This rumor does not pass the smell test.  

2. Francisco Liriano

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 12: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Texas Rangers during the second inning of their game on June 12, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Liriano is beginning to bounce back from his slow start to the 2011 season, but the Twins would be selling low on Liriano if they traded him now.  Plus, who are they going to trade him for?

This team has no need for hitting, as they are locked in with Mauer and Morneau financially, whether it's for better or for worse. They also have plenty of young hitting prospects in the minors.

Pitching is a premium need for the Twins and if they have any shot of competing they need Liriano, who they have control of through next year. This trade may make sense this summer, or it may make sense at next year's deadline, but there is no chance this happens this July unless the Twins are blown away. 

1. Felix Hernandez

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SEATTLE - JUNE 02: Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners smiles as he leaves the field in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field on June 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

This is the most laughable trade rumor of them all.  The Mariners are competing in the weak AL West and Hernandez finally has a partner at the top of the rotation in Michael Pineda.

There were rumors the Yankees wanted him, offering a package centered around Jesus Montero, Delin Betances and Manny Banuelos, but why would the Mariners ever do that?

I think people are forgetting that Hernandez is a phenom.  He's not some guy who the next big prospect can turn into.

The Mariners are not letting go of King Felix unless they get something as sure as him in return, whether it be pitching or hitting.