Reagins was far more open-minded Friday when I asked him about the Angels' possible interest in two other free-agent outfielders, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu, on one-year deals.

"I would say we'll continue to look at different ways to improve the club," Reagins said. "If something makes sense for us, we'd look at it. We'd have to see what the parameters are, how that player fits."

Hallelujah, the Angels have a heartbeat!

People around baseball were beginning to wonder, considering that the team's only response to losing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira was to re-sign a much lesser player, outfielder Juan Rivera.

Ramirez actually would be an ideal fit, but either the Angels want no part of his act, or they are fed up with agent, Scott Boras, who also represents Teixeira. Maybe both.

In any case, Reagins has spoken with the agent for Abreu and also expressed interest in Dunn, according to major-league sources. For one year and say, $8 million, either would be a bargain.

The Angels were short one hitter before they acquired Teixeira last July. They have spent all winter gushing about first baseman Kendry Morales, but until proven otherwise, they are short one hitter again.

Rivera, Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero form the current outfield. Gary Matthews Jr., the leading DH candidate, is coming off surgery in late October to repair the patella tendon in his left knee.

The original prognosis on Matthews was that he would miss four to six months. He is ahead of schedule but proceeding with caution, according to a source with knowledge of his situation.

Just one more reason to add another bat.

Dunn or Abreu could fill the left-handed hitting slot that previously belonged to free-agent Garret Anderson. Both are high on-base percentage hitters who — like Teixeira — would bring discipline to the Angels' free-swinging lineup.

Both also are below-average defenders, but Dunn, 29, offers versatility with his ability to play left field, right and first base as well as DH. Abreu, who turns 35 on March 11, has stolen 20 or more bases in 10 straight seasons, and would fit nicely in the Angels' running game. Matthews would be squeezed for playing time once he returned, but the Angels could worry about that later.

The market for Dunn and Abreu appears to be growing due to the increased willingness of both to sign for one year. The Dodgers and Nationals are among the teams interested, but if the Angels are serious, they would move to the front of the line.

They have to be serious, don't they?

Manny and O-Dog in L.A.? Not likely

The Dodgers continue to weigh a run at free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, but currently see him only as an alternative to Ramirez, in combination with Abreu or Dunn.

The problem with signing both Hudson and Ramirez, one source says, is that the Dodgers view their current prices as too high and the paces of their negotiations as too slow.

Perhaps, but the Dodgers just got a bargain on free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf, signing him to a one-year, $5 million contract.

The team's payroll remains more flexible than any club's, and owner Frank McCourt recently bought a pair of beachfront homes in Malibu for $46 million.

He can't afford Hudson on top of Ramirez?

Granted, the Dodgers would lose their first-round pick to the rival Diamondbacks if they signed Hudson, and that alone could be a deterrent.

Hudson, 31, also is coming off wrist surgery, but the Dodgers could sign him for one year and then extend his contract if he proved healthy.

A double-play combination of Hudson and shortstop Rafael Furcal would be productive and entertaining. Hudson is far more polished at second than Blake DeWitt, 23, and far more proven overall than Tony Abreu, 24.

Cruz: The Japanese option

Arizona Diamondbacks News News » Dunn, Abreu on Angels' radar
Dunn, Abreu on Angels' radar
Earlier this week, Angels general manager Tony Reagins emphatically denied interest in Manny Ramirez, telling ESPN.com, "I can make this very brief and very clear. We are not in on Manny — and will not be." MLB Hot Stove