Angels Make the First Move

The Angels don’t like to say much about their plans, so they can speak volumes when they do talk. As General Manager Bill Stoneman explained that Monday’s signing of pitcher Kelvim Escobar was only the first accomplishment of the winter, Manager Mike Scioscia confirmed that the Angels are discussing the acquisition of superstar outfielder Vladimir Guer- rero, the best player available in free agency.

“Bill’s looking at a lot of things,” Scioscia said. “That’s one of them.”

And, although Escobar’s inclusion in the Angels’ rotation is expected to send Scot Shields back to the bullpen, Scioscia cautioned that Aaron Sele would not be awarded a starting spot simply because the team owes him $8.5 million next year. Sele struggled mightily last season, his first after shoulder surgery. The Angels hope he will recover top form next season but could cut him if he does not.

“As we get into spring, we’ll see where he is and where the rotation is,” Scioscia said.

Escobar, 27, agreed to a three-year contract for $18.75 million, including a signing bonus of $750,000 and salaries of $5.5 million in 2004, $6 million in 2005 and $6.5 million in 2006.

The Angels, targeting a starting pitcher as their top off-season priority, also had spoken with free agents Bartolo Colon and Andy Pettitte. By signing Escobar at roughly half the annual salary Colon and Pettitte are expected to command, they spare more dollars for their next priority.

“We definitely need to pick up a bat,” Scioscia said.

Neither Stoneman nor Guerrero’s agent, Fernando Cuza, has chosen to discuss the Angels’ interest in Guerrero.

However, the Angels’ interest could be waning in another free-agent outfielder, Shannon Stewart. The Angels initially targeted Stewart, but agent Jeff Moorad said Monday that he has not heard from Stoneman since the general managers’ meetings two weeks ago.

The baseball buzz is that Guerrero could wind up with the Angels or Baltimore Orioles, although the Angels would not consider the reported asking price in length of contract (eight years) and dollars ($15 million per year). The Angels also could satisfy their offensive needs with shortstops Kazuo Matsui or Miguel Tejada, and Stoneman refused to rule out signing Colon, Pettitte or another starting pitcher.

“We’re not finished this winter,” he said. “It depends what might be available at a price we can afford, or if the demands are too high for the dollars you have. Sometimes opportunities pop up, either in trade or in a free agent saying, ‘I want to play for you and I’ll do it affordably.’

“If a starting pitcher who is a good starting pitcher wants to join us and we can handle that, that’s a possibility.”

The Angels believe they landed a good starting pitcher in Escobar, although the bidding was not fierce. His old team, the Toronto Blue Jays, never budged from its original offer of two years and $10 million. Escobar said the Boston Red Sox agreed to a three-year deal but never offered a formal contract.

With the Blue Jays, his original team, Escobar developed a reputation similar to the one Ramon Ortiz has in Anaheim -- great stuff, with occasional lapses in focus. He attributed part of his inconsistency to youth and part to the way the Blue Jays used him, shuttling him between the rotation and the bullpen.

“He’s not going to be bouncing back and forth here,” Stoneman said.

Stoneman said he tried to trade for Escobar last season, although he admitted he offered little in return because of the pending free agency. The Angels also tried to trade for Escobar under Stoneman’s predecessor, Bill Bavasi.

Escobar went 13-9 with a 4.29 earned-run average last season, including 12-8 with a 3.92 ERA as a starter. The Angels cited his durability -- he pitched at least six innings in 19 of his final 23 starts -- and a strikeout ratio that trailed only those of Pedro Martinez, Esteban Loaiza, Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens among American League starters.

At a news conference Monday, a day he called “the biggest day of my life,” Escobar alluded to the Angels’ terrific bullpen, headed by closer Troy Percival and setup men Francisco Rodriguez and Brendan Donnelly.

“I don’t have to worry that, if I don’t do well as a starter or if they need me in the bullpen, I’ll have to go to the bullpen,” Escobar said. “We have the best closer. We have the best setup guys.”

One of those relievers figures to be Shields, bumped to the bullpen despite posting a better ERA as a starter last season (3.89) than Escobar.

“That’s fine,” Shields said. “He’s proven in the league. I don’t have that much experience.”

Shields said he was not dismayed that the Angels would probably bump him for Escobar rather than someone of the caliber of Colon or Pettitte.

“From what I’ve seen of him, he’s not too far behind those guys,” Shields said. “He’s young. He’s got three to four very good pitches. He’s not as much money as the other guys. That might open up some other doors for us.”

And if one of those doors was marked Guerrero?

“I wouldn’t mind that one,” Shields said.

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In September, owner Arte Moreno suspended broadcaster Rex Hudler for a marijuana possession case that was resolved with Hudler’s agreement to perform community service and attend counseling. Two months later, Moreno guaranteed $18.75 million to Escobar, the defendant in a sexual assault lawsuit in Toronto in which an unidentified woman seeks $8 million in damages.

“Rex was arrested and charged. That was the difference,” said Tim Mead, the Angels’ vice president of communications. The Angels reserve the right to impose discipline on Escobar if he is found guilty, Mead said, although the players’ union can challenge any such decision.

The Escobar case involves a civil suit, so even in defeat he would not face prison time. Stoneman said the Angels were aware of the suit before negotiating with Escobar and understand he might be called away from the team to testify if the case goes to trial.

“Hopefully, it won’t impact us,” Stoneman said. “We’re ready to cooperate if it does.”

In court filings, Escobar has maintained his innocence, claiming any sexual activity was consensual and describing the suit as a “blatant attempt to extort money.”

“I’m very confident,” he said Monday. “The truth will come out, and everything will be fine.”

Times staff writer Ross Newhan contributed to this report.