Manny Ramirez left Boston, with a Boras-infused vision of four-years $100 million.  Suddenly motivated, he hit .396 with a .489 OBP, a .743 SLG and 17HR in the final 53 games.  In the playoffs, Ramirez reached base 24 times in 36 plate appearances.  He was Barry Bonds without the backne and shrunken testicles.  Despite Manny’s Herculean efforts, however, he’s not getting that money in this depressed slugging market.  Here are the teams rumored to sign him in reverse probability order.

Texas Rangers: SI’s Jon Heyman claims the Rangers are “mulling” Ramirez.  His evidence is that the Rangers’ GM told MLB.com they haven’t ruled out a move for him.  But, to our knowledge, they haven’t negotiated with him.  Owner Tom Hicks does have a profligate history.  Though, the A-Rod and Chan Ho Park experiences would seemingly scare him away.  There’s also the $250 million he owes the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia in six months.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels need a power bat.  That’s why they traded for Teixeira last season and why they made a substantial free agent offer.  However, the club’s GM denied they were considering Manny, they resigned Juan Rivera to play corner outfield (settle down) and if any manager was to be put off by Manny half-assing it in Boston, it would be Mike Scioscia.

New York Mets: Manny would be a monster addition to the Mets’ lineup. Â Ramirez would also bump the Yankees off the back pages, because that’s crucial to winning the World Series.  But, the Mets aren’t so stable financially, with Fred Wilpon’s losses in the Madoff scandal.  If they sign Derek Lowe along with K-Rod, that’s already a substantial payroll addition.  Manny would be conceivable, but unlikely.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants are gunning for the NL West next season.  They signed Randy Johnson, Edgar Renteria and bullpen help to short-term deals.  Their pitching can carry them with an average offense, attainable with a big bat.  Manny is by far the best one available.  It would keep him away from the Dodgers and we know how much Brian Sabean loves slightly rotting veterans.  If no one claims him, the Giants might move in, but two interested teams could outbid them.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers presumably still have the money.  They offered Manny two-years $45 million before revoking it.  LA saw how blistering he can be last season.  They seem to be negotiating with the upper hand.  But, Bill Plaschke thinks the Dodgers handled things “perfectly,” which should worry them.  Boras may be money-grubbing and borderline evil, but he’s no fool.  He wouldn’t be so stubborn with cards so poor.

New York Yankees: The Yankees have more money than anyone.  If New York needed more motivation than a 3-4-5 of A-Rod, Ramirez, Teixeira and Manny, having him in pinstripes would be a wonderful f— you gauntlet to John Henry and the Red Sox.  He would upgrade the Yankees’ mediocre corner outfielders, who the Yankees, perhaps not coincidentally, are trading.  New York with Ramirez would be the envy of all, the talk of the town and the World Series favorite.  They would leave the smug Red Sox grumbling and apoplectic.  It’s too much of a Yankee move to not happen.