Blockbuster Trade Rumor: Carl Crawford for Hanley Ramirez and Heath Bell in Discussion

The Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins are reportedly discussing a deal that would send recent return from the 60-day disabled list Carl Crawford to Miami, in exchange for former Red Sox prospect Hanley Ramirez and struggling closer Heath Bell.

Multiple sources including Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Marlins are so interested in Crawford that they have sent a member of the organization to Boston to scout the left-fielder within the past week.

While the Marlins seem to be set on acquiring Crawford, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has denied any reports of the trade. "There’s nothing going on with Carl," said Cherington to USA Today Sports. "He’s our left-fielder and we’re glad to have him back in our lineup."

If the deal were to somehow take place, it would be the second biggest exchanging of contracts in MLB history, as the players involved are collectively owed $239 million from their respective clubs. The 2004 trade that sent Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano was the wealthiest trade, as it involved more than $257 million in contracts.

After discussing the potential facts of this proposed deal, and the sources that delivered these facts, the trade itself seems a bit bizarre. The timing of the trade proposal, along with the players involved simply don’t add up. Carl Crawford has been back in the Red Sox lineup for two games since returning from the disabled list, which had sidelined him for the entire season leading up to this week. The left-fielder has done nothing in Boston to prove to Miami that he is worth anywhere near his seven-year, $142 million contract, which is a record for an outfielder.

The players Miami would be giving up don’t seem to make much sense for their club either. Hanley Ramirez is as happy as he’s ever been having close buddy Jose Reyes sharing the left side of the infield with him. Also, why would the Red Sox want to take on another closer in Heath Bell when they have a better closer that is a fill-in for their original 9^th inning man in Andrew Bailey, who will be returning to the club in late August or early September.

This deal seems to make little sense for each club, and it will most likely not take place according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. Olney recently reported via his Twitter account that, “There is no current discussion involving Crawford and Hanley Ramriez/Heath Bell. Was brought up briefly as concept, immediately dead.”

Although all discussions seem to be off between the two clubs, keep an eye on the Red Sox come the trading deadline, July 31^st, as they could be moving some pieces around to try and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.