Alex Rios is hitting just .213 over his last 23 games and Robin Ventura believes trade rumors are affecting him at the plate.
"I don't know the reason exactly," Ventura said. "He's not squaring it up as much. He's staying in the middle of the field. Probably a little of all the rumors going around. That does affect people in certain ways. I don't know if that's him, but it's probably leading to it."
The Pirates, Giants and Rangers have all been linked to Rios, who is guaranteed $13.5 million beyond this season.
Rios insists the uncertainly isn't bothering him.
"It doesn't," Rios said. "At this point, we shouldn't be worried about what's going to happen because you just can't control it. You have to wait it out. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. Not much to it. ... Like I said, I don't think about those things. You just have to go and play and it's something you can’t control. You have to wait until something happens."