The Athletics are interested in shortstop Yunel Escobar, who was scratched from Toronto's lineup on Wednesday with back stiffness. Oakland, which is looking for an infielder, was involved in talks for Hanley Ramirez before the Dodgers acquired him from the Marlins. "I like it here," Escobar said of Toronto. "I don't like getting traded. I had that happen before when I went from Atlanta to the Blue Jays. But you have no control over what happens." Escobar, 29, is making $5 million this year and next, and there are club options at the same salary for 2014 and 2015.