CHICAGO -- The agent for Aramis Ramirez said the Chicago Cubs third baseman will declare for free agency after this season and opt out of the remaining year on his contract.

Agent Paul Kinzer met with interim Cubs general manager Randy Bush on Wednesday, one day after Ramirez said he thought he played his last game at Wrigley Field as a member of the Cubs.

"Randy and I had a great conversation about Aramis," Kinzer told ESPNChicago.com. "We also talked about the other players I represent [on the Cubs, including Carlos Marmol, Geovany Soto and Starlin Castro].

"I let Randy and [chairman] Tom Ricketts know that we're going to test the free agent market. I also told them the Cubs would be on our short list to return if they're interested in signing us."

Ricketts is in the process of searching for a new GM after dismissing Jim Hendry in July.

"Both Tom and Randy were receptive to our conversation, but they said any decision on the team going forward would have to be made by the new general manager," Kinzer said. "There's no doubt Aramis will be one of the top free agents to hit the market in November, and we'll be looking for a three- or four-year deal."

Free agency begins the day after the World Series, and Ramirez will look to cash in on a season in which he entered action Wednesday hitting .306 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs.

Interestingly, Ramirez's camp may save the Cubs money by declaring for free agency. If the team opted not to bring Ramirez back next season, it was on the hook for a $2 million buyout.

Ramirez wasn't in Wednesday's lineup, but before the game he reiterated that he doesn't want to be part of a rebuilding process with the Cubs.

"I'm not that kind of player anymore. I'm 33. I don't know how much longer I'm going to play," Ramirez said. "I know it's hard to win, but I want to compete. That's what I want to do."