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A's to Keep Blanton?

According to an A's source:

he's expecting right-hander Blanton to not be traded. The source also expects Blanton to open the season as Oakland's ace, drawing the Opening Day assignment in Japan against the Red Sox.

Blanton's name has surfaced in many rumors since last July, but he's not going to cost the A's much in 2008 because he's arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. The source said the team would have to get a lot more than what it's been offered thus far to part with its only returning starter without recent significant health issues.