PAWTUCKET -- Lars Anderson was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning of Pawtucket's 3-2 loss to the Louisville Bats on Saturday night, with various reports suggesting that he had been traded to Oakland as part of a package for starting pitcher Rich Harden -- though Harden later told reporters in Oakland he had not been traded.

Late scratches and mid-game substitutions are never more suspicious than on the final days of July, and manager Arnie Beyeler's replacing Anderson with Daniel Nava was a far from routine baseball move.

"I got a call to take him out of the game," Beyeler said, "so I took him out of the game."

"I don't know, man," Anderson said when asked what he knew about the situation. "There are rumors I didn't like my walk-up music and took myself out of the game."

Anderson, 23, was considered the top prospect in the organization after an outstanding 2008 season at High-A Lancaster and Double-A Portland. He has struggled over the past two-plus seasons to maintain that pace.

After going 1-for-3 with an RBI on Saturday, Anderson was hitting .261 with 10 home runs, 58 RBI and a .362 on-base percentage. He is originally from the Bay Area and was planning on living there this offseason.

Before Saturday's PawSox game, Anderson reflected on the trade rumors circulating around him.

"It used to be a lot more," he said, even referring to his "height of prospectism." "I remember hearing something in the off-season a few years ago, and I got pretty, you know, I like this organization a lot, and I wasn't into that trade. I was like, 'Man, I really hope that doesn't happen.' Now, that might be what needs to happen for me to really have a shot. You never want to close off options or close your mind. It's important to be open to all things and kind of ride that wave when it comes. I'm kind of in a neutral position and accepting of whatever comes."

Anderson found himself in a bit of what he called a "funny situation." With Adrian Gonzalez locked in at first base for the Red Sox through 2018, Anderson knows his best chance is likely with a different organization.

"For me, personally, it's not the most ideal situation," he said. "I think I'd have a better opportunity with another team for my position. But you never know how it's going to work out."

Anderson said it can be weird to see his name on SportsCenter, linked in deals for ace starting pitchers or established sluggers. He described the first time his name appeared in trade rumors on ESPN as something that "never felt real."

"It's cool but you also feel like, it's not a very human process, trading people. It's kind of weird, right?" he said in his inimitable fashion. "It's a weird concept for me. It's exciting. I don't know if it's a good exciting, but it's a feeling of excitement."

Photo: Glenn Osmundsen
Twitter: @TBritton_Projo