MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Craziest Offseason Rumors so Far

With the New Year quickly approaching, it's time for us to looks back on some of the highlights of 2011.  

Although it's only been around two-and-a-half months, the 2011 offseason has produced some pretty wild rumors thus far. Among them, talk of CC Sabathia leaving the Yankees, David Ortiz joining the Yankees and Albert Pujols heading to the north side of Chicago have been some of the most far-fetched.  

But what about all those insane trade ideas that have floated about this offseason? I mean, really, some of them have been just plain ridiculous. I've managed to narrow the list down a bit, determining the five craziest trade rumors of the offseason.  

Let's start with No. 5...

No. 5: Matt Cain to the Yankees

Of the five rumors on this list, this is the only one that I ever imagined might be the real deal.

Matt Cain is the No. 2 starter for the San Francisco Giants, but on most teams, he would be considered an ace. He has been constantly improving since his first full season in 2006, and at age 27, he is just now entering his prime, so we should expect Cain to continue his success for at least another five to seven years. This all works out perfectly for him, as he will be a free agent following the 2012 season.

The Yankees need starting pitching. After CC Sabathia, they have the rookie sensation from last season in Ivan Nova, and then a bunch of question marks in Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett and Freddy Garcia. Every good team needs a good 1-2 punch in the rotation, and Sabathia-Nova doesn't have that comfort level just yet. Sabathia-Cain on the other hand; that's a little more comfortable.

The Giants need offense. They managed to win a title in 2010 riding on their starting rotation and a couple of hitters on hot streaks, but unless they bring in a major impact bat or two, they won't be winning any time in the near future. Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval can't carry an entire team.

San Francisco could realistically get by without Cain, and odds are, they'll have to anyway after 2012 when he hits free agency, so it makes sense for them to trade him to the Yankees for Jesus Montero and others.

However, with the Giants set on trying to sign him to a contract extension and the Bombers being very selective when it comes to Montero, anyone could see that this was a rumor; nothing more.

No. 4: Matt Garza to the Rangers

Earlier this month, CBS Sports reported that the Rangers had had discussions with the Cubs regarding Matt Garza. Now, in my opinion, it makes no sense for the Cubs to trade away their newest young arm.

Remember, it was only last offseason that Chicago acquired Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays. And remember, the Cubs gave up a lot to get him. Prospects Christopher Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer and Robinson Chirinos, as well as outfielder Sam Fuld, were all sent to Tampa in return for Garza and back-up outfielder Fernando Perez. That's a major trade right there.

Even though Garza was great in 2011, despite being on a losing team, he clearly wasn't worth FIVE prospects. Obviously, the Cubs are hoping to cash in on Garza's improved season, maybe receiving another five prospects in return. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, Chicago, but no one is going to give up that much for someone like Garza, a No. 2 starter at best on a good team.

The Rangers have become relevant thanks to their incredible farm system, so I highly doubt they're going to change their ways and start trading away young talent now. Maybe a team like the Yankees or Blue Jays could strike a deal with the Cubs, but as for the Rangers? Highly unlikely.

No. 3: Joey Votto to the Mariners

Back in the beginning of the offseason, rumors started swirling around the idea of the Cincinnati Reds shopping their MVP first baseman, Joey Votto. ESPN insider Jason Churchill suggested that the Mariners would have a potential package of players that might just get the job done.

Churchill speculated that a package constructed among guys like Michael Pineda, Mike Carp, Brandon League, Trayvonn Robinson and Justin Smoak could be enough to land Votto in Seattle.

So, the way I see it, their are two problems with this ideology:

1. Why would the Reds want to get rid of Votto?

2. Why would the Mariners want to give up all their young talent?

Sorry to be so blatant about it, but this rumor was ridiculous from the start. The Reds are just one season removed from a division championship, and Votto, with his MVP year that season, was an integral part of their success. Trading him would be counter-productive to the Reds, just as much as giving up all the young talent they have accumulated over the last couple of years would be counter-productive to the Mariners.

Instead, the Reds gave up an obscene amount of talent for San Diego righty Mat Latos, and the Mariners are targeting free-agent slugger Prince Fielder.

No. 2: Hanley Ramirez To...Anyone

I have trouble understanding why anyone believed this one.

When the Miami Marlins went on their offseason spending spree and completed phase two of their re-construction plans, signing star free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez was suddenly faced with the reality of a position change to third base. 

Well, Hanley didn't respond too well to that news and essentially threw a temper tantrum, saying that he was not moving to third base and that he was a shortstop. Well, that kind of reaction is what the media dreams about, and it didn't take to long for a plethora of Hanley trade rumors to hit the web.

We won't get into all the details about every single place he was rumored to be going, as all of it was purely speculation anyways. The point is that it seems like Hanley has gotten over it, and even if he hadn't, the Marlins were not about to trade their star player at his all-time lowest value directly before their attempt to become a contender in the first year of their sparkling new stadium.

Now, for the craziest rumor of the offseason...

No. 1: Tim Lincecum to the Yankees

I'm a Yankees fan, and even I laughed when I first saw this one.

Seriously, Tim Lincecum being traded to the Yankees? In what universe? Definitely not this one, that's for sure.

Back in early November, Fox Sports' Jon Morosi suggested that the San Francisco Giants should consider trading their young ace in order to re-stock their anemic offense. Dave Cameron of Fangraphs followed suit and suggested that the Yankees would be a great trade partner for the Giants.

What's better is that Cameron suggested that the Yankees could get it done with just Jesus Montero and Eduardo Nunez, while also taking on some of Aubrey Huff's $12 million contract. This, in his opinion, would help free up enough money to re-sign Carlos Beltran to a new deal (remember, this was almost two months ago; Beltran wasn't a Cardinal yet).  

Honestly, I'd have been dancing around the house if the Yankees had managed to pull off a trade like that. A 27-year old ace who has already won two Cy Young awards in return for two unproven prospects? Thank you very much.

However, I'm realistic and understood that this deal had zero chance of happening. Add in Manny Banuelos and Mason Williams, though, and maybe...no, I'm not going to go there. The last thing I want is to appear on a list like this at the end of the offseason.

Well, that's my top five, what's yours?