As rumors go, it is the rare one that doesn't have at least some basis in reality. One hot rumor that was making the rounds on Tuesday had both the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox denying that Washington had offered second baseman and reluctant outfielder Alfonso Soriano to Boston in exchange for a starting pitcher, either Matt Clement or Bronson Arroyo.

Numerous media outlets reported this story, including Foxsports and Sports Illustrated's website, cnnsi.com. It certainly makes sense from Washington's perspective, considering their need for pitching and, perhaps more importantly, their looming battle with Soriano over what position he will play. The Nationals want him in the outfield with Jose Vidro at second base, and Soriano wants to stay at second.

From the Red Sox perspective it makes a lot less sense, although at first glance it has appeal. Boston seems to have an abundance of arms, and they made no secret after last season of their desire to move Clement, who never seemed comfortable in the media glare of Boston and whose performance declined sharply in the second half of the year.

Arroyo would seem to be untouchable. He recently signed a three-year contract at $11.25 million total, very reasonable money for a relatively young, middle-of-the-rotation type guy with a lot of upside, who won 25 games in his first two seasons in Boston.

Additionally, the offensive numbers Soriano puts up, especially for a second baseman, are staggering, particularly when compared with Mark Loretta, Boston's new acquisition expected to replace Tony Graffanino at second. Here's how they average out over the last five years, the amount of time Soriano has been a big-league regular:

-------------Games----Average----Runs---- Doubles----HR------RBI-----Stolen Bases
Soriano-----154--------.280--------100---------39---------32-------92-----------33
Loretta------124--------.308---------62----------25----------8-------48------------4

It's obvious that the two are completely different types of players. While Loretta is a contact, slap hitter, Soriano generates a lot of power with those long arms and that long swing, while also striking out a lot. If the Red Sox were a team in need of offense, this rumored non-deal would make sense. But this is a team that led baseball in runs scored the last two seasons, and figure to be at or near the top of the Major Leagues in that category again.

Conversely, the BoSox' short stint in the postseaon last year made their weaknesses glaringly obvious. Infield defense and pitching was lacking, and hurt them in that shortest of series, a three-game sweep at the hands of eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox. By trading shortstop Edgar Renteria to Atlanta and replacing him with Alex Gonzalez, and getting Loretta to play second base, the infield defense looks to be vastly improved, a situation which would take a huge step backward with the addition of Soriano at second, as illustrated by both players' lifetime fielding percentage at second base.

Soriano .971
Loretta .987

Finally, Loretta makes a salary in the $3 million range, whereas Soriano will make between $10-and-$12 million this year alone. Considering Boston is looking at prospect Dustin Pedroia as a likely long-range solution to the second base position, overspending for a one or two year rental seems unwise, particularly with a team that will be looking to start getting younger while still trying to contend.

Sometimes the best deal is the one you don't make. This is one of those times for the Red Sox.