OAKLAND -- About that trade deadline thing?
J.P. Ricciardi says don't hold your breath waiting for his Blue Jays to make any noise.
The Jays general manager has made the rounds and put out his requests and offers and is getting next to no response.
He called the Kansas City Royals about the availability of left-hander Mark Redman midweek.
He still was waiting to hear back from them as of yesterday morning, which might have played into his pessimism.
"We're not getting anywhere," Ricciardi said prior to yesterday's 7-4 loss to Oakland.
"I don't see us doing anything."
Ricciardi was hoping to add a starting pitcher to shore up the back end of his rotation. And while that may yet happen, Ricciardi sounds like a man convinced he's going with the cards in his hand.
Actually, that might not be completely accurate, because he does expect to get Gustavo Chacin back from the injured list, as soon as Aug. 9 if everything goes well.
Chacin hasn't been in a game for the Jays since June 9 when he left the game with a sprained ligament in his left elbow. He is set to pitch in a rehab start today for Syracuse against Charlotte.
The plan is to have him throw one more on Aug. 4 for Syracuse and then, barring a setback, return to the Jays to start against Baltimore on the Aug. 9.
Chacin's return, after not having had him for two months, will almost feel like the Jays did make a trade.
