Stoneman Still Looking at Trades

Bill Stoneman sounds like a general manager who is eager to make a trade, saying he “doesn’t know of any player on earth who is untouchable,” and that he’d even be open to a deal with an American League West rival.

But four days before the non-waiver trade deadline, the Angels are having match-up problems, their difficulty finding a trading partner stemming from the fact that before Wednesday’s games, 22 of 30 teams were within five games of a playoff spot.

“There are a lot of pieces from other clubs that fit, but they’re parts of teams that are in the race,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “That might put the brakes on things.”

The Angels, for instance, inquired about Houston ace Roger Clemens earlier this season; then the Astros got hot and are in the National League wild-card hunt. They pursued Florida right-hander A.J. Burnett, but the Marlins want a big league starting pitcher in return, and the Angels don’t want to part with one.

The Angels would like to add a top-flight left-handed reliever, such as Philadelphia’s Billy Wagner, Colorado’s Brian Fuentes or Seattle’s Ron Villone, but Wagner no longer appears available, and the price for Fuentes and Villone has been deemed too high at this point.

Potential trading partners have also asked for key components of the Angels, such as reliever Scot Shields, first baseman Darin Erstad, and utility player Chone Figgins.

Triple-A catcher Jeff Mathis and first baseman Casey Kotchman also have drawn a lot of interest.

“There are a whole bunch of clubs, because of the wild card, that have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs,” Stoneman said Wednesday. “Some of those teams want guys on our club, but I have no interest in weakening this club.”

Stoneman appears to be aiming high -- he wants a starter, reliever or hitter who will have a significant effect on the club -- and if that player isn’t available at the right price, it’s doubtful he’ll make a trade by Sunday.

“If I have the opportunity to do something that is interesting, then I want to move,” Stoneman said. “As of now, we haven’t had that sort of discussion.”

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Right fielder Vladimir Guerrero’s right calf cramped on his last swing of Tuesday’s game, an infield single in the ninth inning, and the slugger started at designated hitter Wednesday as a precaution.

Jered Weaver, the Angels’ first-round pick in 2004, lasted four innings in his double-A debut Tuesday with Arkansas, giving up four runs and seven hits, striking out two and walking one in a 6-5 win over Springfield.