Sweeney’s Interest May Be Considerable

If the Angels wished to acquire him, Mike Sweeney said he would be willing to consider waiving a contract clause that raises his annual salary by $1.5 million if he is traded.

“I would consider anything,” Sweeney said, “but nothing’s happened.”

Sweeney, a four-time All-Star for Kansas City, makes $11 million a year on a contract that extends through 2007. He can decline a trade to every team except the five California teams, Arizona, Seattle and the Chicago Cubs; a trade triggers a raise to $12.5 million a year.

The Angels’ designated hitters are hitting .238 with one home run, a .274 slugging percentage and .291 on-base percentage; Sweeney is at .315 with nine homers, a .558 slugging percentage and .361 on-base percentage.

Sweeney said he is happy in Kansas City and has not asked for a trade, and the Royals don’t plan to trade him unless another team picks up his contract and surrenders a top prospect or two. The Angels are unconvinced they need to trade for offensive help, unlikely to pay $11 million for a DH and even more unlikely to trade a top prospect as well.

Sweeney grew up watching the Angels and said attending Game 7 of the 2002 World Series ranked as “one of the coolest baseball moments of my life.” In addition to hometown ties, he would love to play for the Angels because, he said, “With Arte Moreno heading the team, they’re going to have a chance to win every year.”

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Jered Weaver is scheduled to throw a simulated game today in New Jersey, with about 20 teams expected to send scouts, agent Scott Boras said. Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said he was unaware of the simulated game.

Weaver must sign with the Angels by Monday or re-enter the draft. Boras said he is asking $5.5 million in a minor league contract or $6 million plus $750,000 in appearance bonuses in a major league contract; the Angels are offering $4 million in a minor league contract or $5.25 million in a major league contract.

Boras and Stoneman each said he has made his final offer.

Said Boras: “If they want to talk to us, we’re here to listen.”

Said Stoneman: “This isn’t a bluff. We’re absolutely serious.”

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The Angels plan to activate closer Francisco Rodriguez on Wednesday, after a bullpen session tonight and a simulated game Monday. They optioned Ervin Santana to triple-A Salt Lake and activated Kelvim Escobar, who will start tonight.

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ANGELS TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KELVIM ESCOBAR

vs.

ROYALS’

RYAN JENSEN

*--* THE MATCHUP 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA Kansas City/Jensen (R) 1-0 3.60 1-0 -- -- -- ANGELS/Escobar (R) 1-2 3.91 2-2 1-0 7.0 0.00

*--*

Angel Stadium, 7

TV -- Channel 9. Radio -- 710, 1020.

Update -- Escobar makes his first appearance since May 11, hoping that the irritation surrounding the bone spur in his right elbow can remain tolerable enough to delay surgery until the off-season. Jensen, who went 14-10 in 48 games for the San Francisco Giants from 2001 to 2003, makes his second start for the Royals.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.

-- Bill Shaikin