Angels Give Scioscia Extension Through 2009

Any thought the Dodgers might have had about pursuing Angel Manager Mike Scioscia was dashed Friday when the Angels extended Scioscia’s contract through 2009 with a club option for 2010.

Scioscia, the former Dodger catcher who has guided the Angels to one World Series championship and two American League West titles in six years in Anaheim, was already signed through 2007 with a team option for 2008.

But after Scioscia broached the possibility of “furthering my commitment” to the Angels in informal talks with General Manager Bill Stoneman after the season, Angel owner Arte Moreno and Stoneman agreed to add two more years to the contract.

The Dodgers’ managerial vacancy, all parties claimed Friday, was merely a coincidence.

“This had everything to do with Mike Scioscia,” Stoneman said. “He’s been here for six years, it’s been a great six years, and he has every bit of passion now that he had at the beginning.”

Scioscia, whose deal is believed to be worth an average of about $1.75 million a year, has a 520-452 record with the Angels and ranks second in club history behind Bill Rigney (625) in wins.

“I think I’ve got the best position in baseball if you want to manage,” Scioscia, 46, said. “All my focus was to stay here. I’m very happy that the commitment I wanted to make was the commitment they wanted to make and that they wanted to move forward.”

But Scioscia may have to move forward without the only front-line catcher he has known in Anaheim. Although Stoneman said he has contacted a representative for Bengie Molina to express interest in the free agent, it seems highly unlikely the Angels will retain the catcher.

The Angels plan to make a strong bid to sign free-agent slugger Paul Konerko, who is expected to command a four- or five-year deal in the $12-million-a-year range, and if they can’t land the White Sox first baseman, they could pursue a trade for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez, who is guaranteed $19 million a year through 2008.

That may not leave room in the budget for Molina, who is expected to receive three-year offers in the $6-million-a-year range. With triple-A catching prospect Jeff Mathis “close to major league ready,” according to Stoneman, as well as veteran reserve Jose Molina, the Angels have attractive options behind the plate. It also appears free-agent pitcher Jarrod Washburn will not be retained.

“I’m not sure catching is our greatest need,” Stoneman said. “And with [rookie right-hander] Ervin Santana breaking through, pitching turned out to be one of our strengths.

“It’s not totally out of the question that one of them [Molina or Washburn] comes back. ... But ... we’re pretty strong even if neither comes back.”

Molina, 31, hit .295 with 15 home runs and 69 runs batted in last season, but his thick body has left him vulnerable to leg injuries in recent seasons, and the Angels seem reluctant to sign him for more than one or two years.

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After winning back-to-back division championships for the first time in club history, the Angels are raising the price of almost every ticket in the house.

The average ticket price will jump 11%, from $17.36 to $19.23.

When Moreno added “Los Angeles” to the Angels’ name last winter, he said the new name would help generate additional broadcasting and advertising and in turn enable him to minimize ticket increases. Club spokesman Tim Mead said the average Angel ticket price remains below the major league average and far below those of similar high-spending teams.

The average major league ticket price last season was $21.17, according to Team Marketing Report. The Boston Red Sox had the most expensive average, at $44.56, followed by the Chicago Cubs at $32 and the New York Yankees at $27.34. Of the playoff teams, only the Angels and Atlanta Braves had an average below $20. The Dodgers were listed at $18.94.

The Angel increases on field seats ranged from $1 to $5.50, on club seats from $2 to $4 and on dugout and Diamond Club seats from $11.50 to $20.

Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report.