Toronto starting pitcher Roy Halladay, left, shakes hands with catcher Rod Barajas at the end of the ninth inning of Friday's game against Tampa Bay. In what could be his last game with the Blue Jays, Halladay struck out 10 batters over those nine innings but got a no-decision in the Rays' 4-2, 10-inning win.

TORONTO — The way Roy Halladay sees it, he expects he still will be pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays when the trade deadline passes.

"If there was an urgency to be somewhere else and an urgency from the team to have me somewhere else, I think it would be different," Halladay, the most sought-after player on the trade market, said. "I just don't get that feeling. At this point I feel like I'm going to be here."

If Friday night's game was his last with Toronto he gave the crowd of 24,151 one more solid effort, going nine innings before Tampa Bay scored twice in 10th for a 4-2 victory.

Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline is next Friday but Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi has set a loose deadline of Tuesday to work out a deal. Halladay's next scheduled start is Wednesday at Seattle.

With trade rumors swirling, both Ricciardi and interim CEO Paul Beeston declined to comment when approached before the game.

"No more talk," Beeston said. "That doesn't mean I don't have a lot to say, but I'm not going to say it."

Beeston wanted to keep a lid on things after Ricciardi said Thursday that Halladay's desire to test free agency was the team's primary reason for seeking a trade. Halladay, who has a full no-trade clause, can become a free agent after the 2010 season.

Halladay, however, said he simply wants to see whether Toronto can compete next year before he decides to try the open market. Now 32 and still awaiting his first trip to the postseason, Halladay acknowledged the need to be "a little bit selfish" when free agency arrives.

"Knowing that window is getting shorter to have a chance to win, I want to make that decision knowing everything that's out there and not having to predict the future," he said.

Halladay allowed two runs, one earned, and four hits. He walked three and struck out 10, the eighth 10-strikeout game of his career. He's 0-2 in three starts against the Rays this season.

Halladay got his first standing ovation of the night before the game started, with fans rising to applaud as he walked in from the bullpen.

"It was electric, it was a great atmosphere," Halladay said. "It was fun to be in."