From just a few days ago:

The #marlins are leaving no doubt that they intend to trade Josh Johnson w #Rangers still heavy in talks

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 27, 2012

All right, terrific. From Jayson Stark on Monday:

After all that Josh Johnson talk, the Marlins were telling teams Monday they're just going to keep their ace unless something unforeseen happens.

"no doubt that they intend to trade Josh Johnson"

"they're just going to keep their ace"

This is just the worst time of year. The absolute worst. With scouts watching, Johnson turned in a mediocre performance on Sunday against the Padres, but nobody out there doubts Josh Johnson's talent. Nothing about Sunday changed the evaluation. Johnson is a very skilled pitcher with health concerns. Here's what I would assume has been the case all along: the Marlins have been open to the idea of trading Josh Johnson, given a big return. No big return has been offered, so the Marlins don't see the sense in trading Johnson for less than they'd like. They were probably never "intending" to trade Johnson, and they're probably not now committed to "keeping" Johnson. They're just open to ideas, with expectations. If those expectations aren't met, then Johnson won't be moved, because, obviously.

People like to say that, no matter what's going on at present, a lot can change between now and the deadline. Exactly. You know what matters? Trades. You know what pretty much doesn't matter at all? Trade rumors.