ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ESCOBAR GETS NEW CONTRACT.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- After 2 1/2 years of renting in Southern California, Kelvim Escobar said he finally feels comfortable enough to buy.

A three-year, $28.5 million extension, like the one Escobar signed with the Angels on Wednesday, can do wonders.

The Angels took the unusual step -- by their standards -- and re-signed a player during the season. The Angels made the first move by calling Escobar's agent this week and said they would only strike a midseason deal if negotiations moved quickly. It took a brisk 36 hours.

``It was done really quickly and that's the way both parties wanted it,'' Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said. ``It keeps the public out of it and keeps the rest of the players focused on baseball instead of reading about contracts and stuff in the papers. It keeps their focus where it ought to be, and that's on the field playing baseball.''

The Angels tried to get a deal done this spring, but with Escobar coming off shoulder problems last season, the team only was willing to make a two-year offer for $15 million. Instead of making a counteroffer in years or dollars, Escobar said he wanted to go out and prove his worth.

``It was kind of like they showed me they weren't sure if my elbow ... if I was going to be healthy,'' Escobar said of the Angels' two-year offer. ``I told them, `You know what, let's wait. I have a lot of confidence, I feel good and my arm's going to get better. Let's wait and see what happens. I want to show you guys that I'm healthy and during the season we can work something out.'''

A cracked fingernail and blister slowed the right-hander slightly this season, as he has opened with a 5-5 record. But he has a 3.96 ERA and has 47strikeouts with just 12 walks in 61 1/3 innings.

--Won't watch: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said nobody from the major-league coaching staff will stay behind to watch Bartolo Colon's rehab start at Rancho Cucamonga today. The team's charter flight for Cleveland leaves this afternoon.

The staff will rely on reports from the Rancho Cucamonga staff, as well as video.

Colon, who is on the DL with a sore shoulder, is expected to throw 60 pitches or four innings, whichever comes first. The game against Lancaster is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

--All-star update: The American League All-Star ballot leaders were released for the first time, and Vladimir Guerrero is second in outfield votes to the Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez. No other Angels regular is in the top five at any infield position, including catcher, or in the top 15 in the outfield, other than Guerrero.