A Star’s Wish Is Mulled

In high-stakes trade talks more intriguing than any Freeway Series game, the Angels and Dodgers competed Friday to trade for Nomar Garciaparra, but the owners of the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox must first agree to a separate deal before either local team can bring the star shortstop back home.

Garciaparra, a two-time American League batting champion and five-time All-Star, would be available if the Red Sox acquire American League MVP Alex Rodriguez from the Rangers. The Rangers would accept Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez in return, baseball sources said, but only if the Red Sox agree to pay some of the $100 million remaining on Ramirez’s contract and all of the $180 million remaining on Rodriguez’s contract.

The Red Sox, in search of payroll relief and offensive help, would then dangle Garciaparra before the Angels or Dodgers. Garciaparra, born and raised in Whittier, will make $11.5 million next season and can file for free agency thereafter. It is widely believed he would like to play in Southern California, so teams outside the area might consider him a one-year rental and offer little in return.

The Red Sox are believed to have talked more intensely with the Angels in recent days. General Manager Bill Stoneman said Friday the Angels have not requested a 72-hour window, granted by major league officials when a trade is imminent and a team wishes to negotiate a contract extension with a player to be acquired. The Angels prefer not to acquire players with one year left on their contracts, although Stoneman said Friday he would not rule that out.

The Angels signed free-agent pitcher Kelvim Escobar and are believed to have offered free-agent pitcher Bartolo Colon a four-year, $48-million contract. They have vowed to upgrade their offense too, with free-agent targets including shortstops Kazuo Matsui and Miguel Tejada. They reportedly have stalled Matsui while pursuing Garciaparra.

Stoneman would not discuss Garciaparra but said the Angels are pursuing offensive help in trades as well as free agency.

As the price on Matsui rises, the Angels and Dodgers might prefer Garciaparra, at 30 a proven major leaguer just two years older. Reports from New York indicate the Mets have offered Matsui three years at up to $23 million, a price the Angels and Dodgers would be hesitant to meet.

The Dodgers would be willing to trade pitcher Odalis Perez for Garciaparra, but sources in Boston suggested the Red Sox might accept that offer only if Perez could then be traded for offensive help.

Dodger General Manager Dan Evans, desperate for offensive help himself after failing to land trade targets Derrek Lee and Richie Sexson, would not comment specifically on Garciaparra.

“Obviously, there are some players we’re more interested in than others,” Evans said. “There are a lot of interesting fits out there, and we’re talking to a lot of clubs about things we think will make us better next season and beyond.”

It is uncertain who the Angels might trade to Boston for Garciaparra. The Red Sox need a second baseman, but the Angels prefer to keep Adam Kennedy, and teams are believed to be unwilling to trade for David Eckstein before Dec. 20, when the Angels might decline to offer him a contract.

Any trade for Garciaparra is contingent on a Rodriguez-Ramirez trade, and discussions on that deal are expected to conclude or dissolve by the winter meetings, which start next week in New Orleans.

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The Angels have expressed interest in signing free-agent first baseman Travis Lee to replace Scott Spiezio.

Stoneman said Friday it was “likely” that the Angels would not offer salary arbitration to their free agents, Spiezio and outfielder Eric Owens. By not offering arbitration by the Sunday deadline, the Angels would be forbidden from signing those players before May 1.

The Angels are not believed to have offered a contract to Spiezio, who made $4.25 million last season and wants an everyday job. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays paid Lee a base salary of $500,000 last season. The two men had similar statistics. Spiezio hit .265 with 16 home runs and 83 runs batted in; Lee .275 with 19 homers and 70 RBI. Lee’s agent, Scott Boras, said the Angels are one of several teams to express interest.

Tampa Bay announced Friday it would not offer arbitration to Lee, so he can be signed without the loss of a compensatory draft pick.

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Derrick Turnbow, expected to contend for a spot in the Angel bullpen next spring, returned from winter ball after getting shelled. He pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up nine runs, 10 hits and four walks. Stoneman said he ordered him home after coaches on Turnbow’s Puerto Rico team said he was “mentally and physically fatigued.”

Stoneman said the Angels ordered no medical examinations for Turnbow, 25, who recovered his 97-mph fastball last season after sitting out most of the 2001 and 2002 seasons because of injury. He is expected to be fine for spring training, when the Angels must decide whether to keep him on their roster or risk losing him on waivers.

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Times staff writer Jason Reid contributed to this report.