Burton will become the clubs seventh player to debut in

OAKLAND, California - The Blue Jays and Athletics were playing the second inning of Wednesdays getaway day game at the Coliseum when the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline passed. Back in his Toronto war room, general manager Alex Anthopoulos stood pat. "You dont want to make a deal for the sake of making a deal," said Anthopoulos. "You can trade anybody at any time. I mean, every GM can make trades at this time of year but you have to feel good about it and you have to feel like it makes sense." Anthopoulos said he made progress on two possible trades, one last week and another which fell apart on Tuesday morning. Starting pitching and middle infield help were his focus, although Anthopoulos characterized as "completely false" the names linked to the Blue Jays in various media reports. The general manager prides himself on keeping his cards close to his vest. "As we have each year we got asked about a lot of our players," said Anthopoulos. "I can say the two things that we were hopeful, optimistic, or the things that we tried to do did not ever once get out there in the media. They were not ever in the rumour mills." Its believed Anthopoulos fielded numerous calls on the availability of his relievers. The Blue Jays bullpen has had a stellar season, leading the majors with more than 371 innings pitched while ranking ninth in ERA (3.20.) It was thought, at the very least, Toronto would peddle left-hander Darren Oliver, who at age 42 and 20 years into his big league career lacks a World Series ring. Such a move would have done right by a long time pro seeking one last chance at a championship. No deal emerged and it seems the ratio of supply and demand was out of whack. "In general terms the left-handed relief market, overall, I think there were a lot of players out there that were available to other teams," said Anthopoulos. "I think you only saw one team in the last two or three days acquire a left-hander and that was the Indians. "I just dont know that there was the demand out there," Anthopoulos continued. "You didnt see a lot of left-handed relievers traded and Im pretty aware of what players were available on the other teams and there were quite a number of left-handed relievers available for trade, many with expiring contracts and you just didnt see them move."Following a 5-2, 10-inning win over Oakland which secured a series victory over the American League West-leading Athletics, players and manager were pleased the group had been kept together. "I dont think anybody expected us to make a move in here," said R.A. Dickey. "We have the team in here, at least the nucleus in here, thats going to get it done one way or the other. Theres always time to add. Its not like this is the end of any move that you could make so Im sure Alex is out there rustling the bushes around, seeing whats going on." "To be truthful we werent worried about the trade deadline," said manager John Gibbons. "Some of those guys out there that saw their names in print might have thought so but this is our team, we like it and (we have to) play good baseball from here on out." Anthopoulos loathes deadline day, just last week likening the final, chaotic push to last-minute Christmas shopping. He prefers the foundation for a trade to be laid no later than the night of July 30. Dont mistake the Blue Jays standing pat for Anthopoulos being satisfied with his clubs 50-57 record. "I mean theres no question we need to make improvements, we need to get better," said Anthopoulos. "The results and the standings speak for themselves. We certainly are going to need to improve, I mean, that goes without saying. There are times of the year when you have a chance to do that, when teams are engaged and general managers are engaged and this trade deadline certainly is one. Certain offseason periods, GMs meetings and the winter meetings are obviously another area for trades and obviously you have free agency as well." Trades can be made through August 31, with acquired players eligible for playoff rosters. However, players must first pass through revocable waivers before they can be dealt. CECIL NOTCHES FIRST CAREER SAVE Casey Janssen pitched the ninth inning of a 2-2 game on Wednesday in Oakland. So when the Blue Jays scored three times in a lengthy top of the 10th, manager John Gibbons turned to Brett Cecil to close out the game. He pitched a three up, three down inning for his first career big league save. "If youre a reliever and you dont want to close games than you dont belong here," said Cecil. "I sure as heck do. Nothing against Janssen but hopefully we have more games like that so I can get some more." Cecil last was a closer when he pitched for the University of Maryland in 2007. Danny Ainge Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Red Auerbach Jersey . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.celticssale.com/kids-jayson-tatum-celtics-jersey/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. John Havlicek Jersey . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Reggie Lewis Jersey . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson insists the chasing pack of sides after top spot on the AFL ladder isnt motivating his side.Clarkson is refusing to look in the rear-view mirror ahead of a crunch Saturday afternoon fixture with North Melbourne at the MCG that neither side can afford to lose.The Kangaroos would see their grip on finals footy loosened further by a defeat, while Hawthorn could be overtaken by four clubs at the top of the ladder.Sydney, Adelaide, GWS Giants and Geelong are all a game behind Hawthorn on the ladder and boast better percentage than Clarksons side.But the prospect of ending the round as low as fifth on the ladder isnt pushing the Hawks against North, which Clarkson says is just another game.All that we can control is winning games of AFL footy, he said.Weve done that pretty well for the majority of games this year and thats why were sitting on top of the ladder.Everything is in our control in terms of the next three games and if we play according to the standards we set ourselves then it doesnt matter whats behind us.Whats set Hawthorns season apart from their previous seasons is their blooding of new players.Ryan Burton will become the clubs seventh player to debut in 2016 after Kaiden Brand (nine games), Blake Hardwick (one), Kurt Heatherley (one), Kieran Lovell (two), Marc Pittonet (two) and Kade Stewart (three).ddddddddddddOnly Brisbane have handed out more debuts this season.While one for the future, Clarkson is hopeful Burton, a 19-year-old key position prospect from North Adelaide, can impact on Saturday after missing much of the season after leg surgery.Hes trained really strongly the last six to eight weeks and gets his chance ... what impact hell have well just have to wait and see.Burton is one of five inclusions for the Hawks, joining key players James Frawley, Paul Puopolo, Liam Shiels and Billy Hartung in the side.Dropped trio Kurt Heatherley, Jonathan ORourke and Tim OBrien are joined on the outer by Ben Stratton (pectoral) and James Sicily (suspended).North Melbourne have made two changes - Lachie Hansen will play his second game of the season and Robbie Nahas returns after a month off, in place of Ryan Clarke and Brad McKenzie. 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