Neither one of those pitchers would be traded for a bat.  They would be traded for prospects because if those pitchers were traded, ir would mean we are rebuilding.

for Blanton, then, continue hoping.

Blanton alone, probably isn't enough for Milledge.

so I'll not to repeat too much in length.  A lot of the so called talk is pure speculation without any logic of fact supporting it or extremes to sell newspapers.  Since the FA class is so weak, everyone is trying to make the trade market a source of entertainment.  Even going so far as to say that top tier pitchers can be available for other team's castaways.  Unfortunately, since BB has a reputation for listening to offers, we've become a bit of entertainment for NY and BOS newspapers especially.  Sometimes I wonder if they believe what they are speculating, but if it sells newspapers...  I mean if I had a newspaper, I'd write that I would love A-Rod and Santana and trade for Utley.  However, as we all know that isn't going to happen.  They are also forgetting that we don't have a surplus in the SP rotation right now, we are bare bones as it is.  

Here is what I think will happen this offseason:

1. The A's will field a competitive team in 2008.  I just think there is too much to work with.  

2.  No one person guarantees a team will enter the playoffs.

3. The A's will make a few minor moves, not including Bonds (and of course, not A-Rod).  Basically, I think they will remain pat with a few clever additions.

4.  I don't see a trade of Kotsay, DJ, or Marco as "rebuilding" but as clearing room for people who have passed them or can surpass them in the very near future.

What "the sky is falling" reporters seem to forget is that BB does not have to trade anyone in the SP rotation.  Everyone is under contact/club control.  As I said before, I do expect the A's to remain pat but looking at it from every angle, Blanton is arby eligible.  Now, I don't know how much he'll make but paired up with a thought that Blanton might (as reported previously) be overweight and have a bad attitude, it could be framing for a justification for a deal.

I also think moving Haren this offseason is a foolish, incorrect, and disastrous move.  And the basis for that thought goes beyond the stats and more towards the clubhouse/PR.  Now granted, I am not going to deny that Haren has trade value but his value to us right now outweighs that. Even if we are in a rebuilding stage Danny is absolutely vital to our team.  I have to agree with Urban in his latest writing on the As site that Swisher and Haren (with Barton getting a lot of consideration) should be the only untouchables.  

Even in the most bleak of situations, the A's need to sell seats.  Swisher and Danny are two of their biggest draws.  With Danny being our lone All-Star rep and having Cy Young talk earlier in the season, I think there is a lot of expectations (and I'll include myself in this situation) to see Danny in the green and gold to see if he can repeat the same results.  Getting rid of Danny now is just bad business and creates a horrible precedent.  When Zito left, Danny (for better or worse) stepped up and wanted to be a staff leader and an example to the younger guys.  Paired up with his great work ethic, I think removing someone like that will create bad vibes in the clubhouse and especially throughout the staff.  I think it will destroy any winning clubhouse atmosphere and have individual As counting down the days until they can bolt.

When Huddy and Mulder left, they still had Zito for the guys to rally around and talk to.  The problem is Danny is in the vital Zito role and we have less of a surplus right now than then.  Reading between the lines, I think it smacks (and this is more of a personal feeling) of heartlessness to move someone who signed for very cheap, wants to be a member of the As, lives year round in the area and is always available for PR events, and according to USA Today's All Star article has a pregnant wife.  To me that suggests an expectation to be an A for the duration of the contract (if not longer).  I realize that it is a business, but at some point humanity has to come in place.  

I guess the bottom line is that I expect the As, to remain competitive and I will be very disappointed especially if Danny is moved because of the clubhouse energy and he is exactly the type of person we should be celebrating, not sending off.  You don't trade an established, cheap ace.  They are the rarest of commodities.