"Despite earlier indications that he was not in their plans, the Angels are "serious" about pursuing Aramis Ramirez, according to a Los Angeles Times report quoting the slugging third baseman's agent, Paul Kinzer.

Jerry Dipoto, the Angels' new general manager, initially downplayed the possibility of signing Ramirez to a free-agent deal. Kinzer on Monday told the Times that the Angels are one of "four or five teams" with "serious" interest in Ramirez, a 14-year veteran coming off a 2011 season in which he hit .306 for the Cubs with 26 homers, 93 RBIs, a .361 on-base percentage and .510 slugging percentage.

Ramirez, 33, is a .284 career hitter with 315 homers and 1,122 RBIs. "