Stoneman’s Shopping List Targets Escobar

Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman has spoken several times with the agent for pitcher Kelvim Escobar, one of the Angels’ main targets during a winter in which their top priority is improving their starting rotation.

“There is mutual interest,” agent Peter Greenberg said Friday.

“Kelvim would have a lot of interest in playing for the Angels, and we told Bill that. He told us he’s talking to other pitchers as well.”

The Angels would prefer to lure Bartolo Colon, and they are interested in Andy Pettitte if he is interested in pitching anywhere besides New York or his home state of Texas. Escobar, though, is an intriguing alternative among free agents. He figures to command an annual salary about half that of Colon or Pettitte, so signing Escobar would leave the Angels with greater financial flexibility to pursue an impact hitter, perhaps Miguel Tejada or Vladimir Guerrero.

Escobar, 27, started last season as the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer before joining the rotation. He went 13-9 with a 4.29 earned-run average, and was 12-8 with a 3.92 ERA as a starter.

The Blue Jays have offered Escobar a two-year contract, but Escobar is seeking a three-year deal. The Angels have yet to make an offer, Greenberg said. The Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies also are interested.

The Angels also have talked several times with the agent for outfielder Shannon Stewart, who figures to command far less than Tejada or Guerrero.

Manager Mike Scioscia has asked Garret Anderson whether he would be willing to move from left field to right, presumably to accommodate Stewart, and Anderson agreed.