Yanks Checking Out Blanton?

Via the San Francisco Chronicle:

A Yankees scout was at Sunday’s game tracking Joe Blanton, a subject of trade rumors. “Until any trade happens, I can’t worry about it,” Blanton said.

Man, I dunno. When you look at the last two seasons, it seems like 2005 was a fluke for Blanton. Granted, he’ll get you 30+ starts and 200 innings – and, that’s awesome. But, at what price – in terms of what you have to give up to get him? Making a one-year offer to Kyle Lohse seems to make more sense than giving up prospects for Joe Blanton.

Via The Bill James Gold Mine 2008:

“The overall team winning percentage for pitchers making less than 20 starts is .439; for pitchers making less than ten starts it’s .411 (data covers 2005-1007). The great value in a Livan Hernandez is that he minimizes the games you have to give to those spot starters who are generally going to get you a loss.”

Kyle Lohse and Joe Blanton fit the Livan Hernandex profile too. But, again, if you have to give up prospects to get Blanton, then just sign Lohse.