While the A's are trying to downplay their desire to trade Blanton, it's notable that about a half-dozen teams were in on him at various levels of interest -- and the A's were actively listening.
But A's GM Billy Beane is so creative, he sometimes scares his peers just by being willing to discuss players who don't fit the mold of players who would normally get traded this time of year, or at this stage of their careers. "Any time Billy wants to talk about a guy like Blanton, who's just getting into his first year of arbitration, he makes me nervous," one GM said. Also made available by Beane, according to several clubs, was closer Huston Street. Which only caused people to wonder how healthy he is.