The Yankees are believed to have called the A’s on Joe Blanton, if only to get a read on the price. The team remains highly reluctant to trade one of its top pitching prospects — Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy — but might be open to a lesser package. (Source)

I’ve been watching tape on Blanton all day (thanks MLB.tv) and I’ve come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t even trade Ian Kennedy for him. In fact, I’ve found that Blanton is a great comp for IPK. The two both struggle to hit higher than 92 MPH on the gun with the fastball, have great breaking stuff and eat innings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But, Kennedy is 24 and Blanton is 27.

It’s great that the Yankees are making calls, gauging the market and doing their due diligence, but IPK is a younger and cheaper version of Blanton and I’m not interested in a swap.