10 Most Ludicrous MLB Rumors of the Hot Stove Season Thus Far

Every winter the baseball world is rocked by a frenzy of activity. Free agents are moving, deals are being orchestrated and there is general chaos around the world of Major League Baseball.

However, not every deal that is speculated is a great one. In fact, some rumors are downright ludicrous. Therefore, we are going to take a look at 10 of these rumors that have been reported this winter and wonder how this type of deal could possibly happen.

Braves' Jair Jurrjens to Yankees for a Package Led by Shortstop Eduardo Nunez

This trade would not make sense to me from the perspective of either the New York Yankees or the Atlanta Braves. Incidentally, this was reported in the New York Daily News on November 19.

If I were the New York Yankees, I would definitely not trade away my shortstop of the future. I am a huge Derek Jeter fan, but I also realize that he is getting older, and I think that he might be able to play for one more season. After that, they will want Eduardo Nunez to take over as a rare shortstop with power. This package would probably not only include Nunez, so I feel like this would be a pretty high price tag for a pitcher who could be out of New York in two years.

If I were the Atlanta Braves, I would not want to be traded in for another young shortstop. The Braves have Tyler Pastornicky already in the minor leagues and doing very well. In one season or even less, he could be in the major leagues as the everyday shortstop. I feel like acquiring Nunez would simply add to an area that they are already strong.

Also, the argument has been made that they will be able to keep Jair Jurrjens for two more years. However, the Braves are in a very strong position right now, and I do not think that they should trade him away yet. They could win a lot of games over the next few years.

As you can tell, I do not understand this move from either side, and it has been shot down anyway.

Athletics' Gio Gonzalez to the Marlins for either Morrison or Stanton

This one was reported by the Miami Herald, and they talked about Gio Gonzalez coming to Miami in exchange for a package containing either Logan Morrison or Mike Stanton, but it was rejected by Miami. I like what the Athletics were trying to do here, but this is a ludicrous deal. The Marlins were right to reject it.

The Miami Marlins are trying to overhaul their image and build a contender right away. They have been talking to every major free agent about coming to Miami, so they're obviously trying to build a team that can contend right away. The way to do that is not to trade away either the 24-year-old Morrison or the 22-year-old Stanton.

These two young men could be the face of the Marlins for quite a few more years. Yes, they could use a solid starting pitcher at the top of their rotation, but I do not think this is the right price for them to pay. If they are able to bring in another major offensive weapon through free agency, they should just accept the fact that they will be much more offensively-minded and embrace that.

Dodgers' Andre Ethier to the Boston Red Sox

This type of move was suggested by the Boston Globe as perhaps a nice addition to their lineup. Admittedly, it might fall more under the category of speculation as opposed to rumor, because they did not mention who the Red Sox could offer in return. However, I do not think this would be a very good move for Boston.

I am not going to say that Ethier is not a good player, and I'm also not going to say that he would not help the Boston lineup. What I am going to say is that I think Boston should worry about other areas of their team rather than right field. Their lineup scored the most runs in baseball last season. When you score that many runs, it is highly possible that you do not need to score more runs. Rather, it would make a lot more sense to invest in a pitcher such as Gio Gonzalez next season—that is where they need the improvement rather than their lineup.

Drew Storen Being Traded from the Washington Nationals

I understand what the writers at MASN were talking about throughout this article. They mentioned the fact that it might be smart for the Washington Nationals to trade Drew Storen right now when the demand for relief pitching is very high. However, I do not think that this would be a very smart move for the Washington Nationals without a very special package in return.

The reason that I say this is because the Washington Nationals want to try to win this season. They are trying to put together a better team and compete in the National League East. Their late-inning relief pitchers can definitely help them hammer down the end of the game. These pitchers are incredibly important, and I do not think that it would be smart for the Nationals to weaken themselves in this area. If late-inning relief wasn't so important, why would it be in such high demand right now?

Reds' Joey Votto for Rays' James Shields

This has been reported as a disproved rumor by Hal McCoy of Fox Sports Ohio after asking the Reds about it. While I appreciate two of the most rumored big names on the market being traded for each other, I really do not see it happening straight up even if we didn't know the answer already.

First of all, both of these players are playing for teams that best accentuate their talents. The Tampa Bay Rays have had some of the best young pitching in baseball. The Cincinnati Reds have one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball and have built a lineup that accentuates that.

These two athletes fit perfectly in the mission of their respective teams. In a sense, that is why it makes sense to swap them because then they would help the other team fill a perceived weakness. However, I would not make this trade because it does not make sense for either team to abandon what they have done well. It might make more sense to use free agency or trading prospects to fill these weaknesses rather than their biggest bat or arm.

Phillies Trading Cole Hamels Anywhere

This was apparently first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN, but I read about it from Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus. I tend to agree with Goldstein on this point—I cannot possibly see the Phillies trading Hamels this winter.

The Phillies were frankly disappointing last season, and they have a very passionate fanbase. Because of that, the fans will be very interested in improving this offseason, and I would bet that many of them would not be very excited about trading their only homegrown ace.

I know that any player is available at the right price, but I think that the Phillies are so committed to winning right now but they would not necessarily be interested in prospects for Hamels unless the deal was something incredibly special. Even though we don't know the other half of any potential deal, I would be very surprised if this became even probable.

Dodgers' James Loney to the Cubs for Geovany Soto and a Prospect

According to Larry Seely of Gather, this was reported right here on Bleacher Report. However, I would not be huge on this deal right away for the Chicago Cubs.

The reason I do not necessarily think that this trade is possible is because, as we all know, the Chicago Cubs have been rumored to be interested in Albert Pujols. Because of that, any trade for another first baseman would signify that they have given up this option.

I personally do not think that any trade like this would possibly happen until Pujols is off the market. Also, I do not think that even if they lose on Pujols they will fill first base through a trade. They obviously have the money to sign a free agent, and I think that they would do that rather than make this trade.

Braves' Martin Prado to the Rockies

According to the Tomahawk Take, the Colorado Rockies might be interested in Martin Prado to occupy the hole they currently have at second base. However, I do not think that the Atlanta Braves will make this trade.

The main reason that I believe this is because they are already shopping Jair Jurrjens. Not that I agree with this move either, but if Atlanta Braves want to acquire a powerful bat, Jurrjens would be able to acquire a whole lot more. Also, like I said earlier on the Jurrjens slide, the Braves are in a very good position to win right now, and I do not think that they should be selling off pieces that could make them successful. All in all, I do not like this deal unless, of course, they get something amazing in return.

Giants' Tim Lincecum on the Move

According to Fox Sports, it might be reasonable for the Giants to trade Tim Lincecum if it would give them enough salary space to sign Prince Fielder or Jose Reyes. Needless to say, I am not a fan of this deal for the San Francisco Giants.

Either one of these two players would be a great addition to the Giants roster because of their terrible offense last year. However, I think that one of the best pitchers in baseball is a pretty high price to pay for either these athletes. I recognize that the Giants are desperate for offense, but I do not see Lincecum moving anywhere this winter. The Giants will need him to work with Matt Cain if they want to drive for a World Series.

Giants' Matt Cain to the Yankees for Jesus Montero

One more Giants rumor will wrap up your day with me. This one comes courtesy of the New York Daily News. The Yankees are trying to get Matt Cain from the Giants for the highly-touted catching prospect Jesus Montero. If I were the Giants, I would definitely not make this trade.

Buster Posey will be back this season as the catcher, and he will also be able to help shore up some of the offensive problems that they had. Granted, Montero offers more offense, but Posey is no slouch, and trading away another pitcher makes me nervous. It is just like the last slide. I think that the Giants need to be able to pitch their way into the postseason this year. They have already added some offense with Melky Cabrera, and Posey will be returning. The Giants should look to fill a weak position rather than reinforce an area of strength.