With the clock ticking closer to Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said there's been plenty of talk, some tire-kicking, but nothing in the way of substantive offers.
Ricciardi said he'd listen to all offers but added the significant rider that right-hander A.J. Burnett, his prized plum, isn't going anywhere. "We're open to do anything if it's the right situation," he said. "There's been interest in a lot of our guys from the standpoint of asking questions. But we're not going to just dismantle our club because it's a good club."
Between now and Thursday, Ricciardi expects things to heat up.
"I do, I do," he said. "As people find out that X amount of things aren't available, they might come to us. We'll see. I think so. I don't know if we're going to do anything."
And Burnett?
"He's not going anywhere," Ricciardi replied emphatically.
BLUE JAYS 3, RAYS 1: RHP A.J. Burnett moved to 12-9 on the season by allowing one unearned run over seven innings while striking out 10. The 12 wins equals his career high. DH Matt Stairs hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, while RF Brad Wilkerson and 2B Joe Inglett hit back-to-back triples in the eighth. It was the Jays' sixth win in their last seven games.
