The Mets and Phillies also were in contact with the A's about Joe Blanton on Monday, sources say, but the A's prefer to deal with the Dodgers, whose farm system is one of the deepest in the game. The A's are willing to trade Blanton without acquiring any of the young players on the Dodgers' major-league roster ? a group that includes outfielder Matt Kemp, first baseman James Loney and reliever Jonathon Broxton.