When recently asked whether or not he intends to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers Manny Ramirez said: “I want to see who is the highest bidder.”

That bidding could approach, or exceed, $100 million. If the Dodgers do not win the bidding, or drop out at what might well be a justifiable point, it is not the player with the openly mercenary attitude who would be left in Los Angeles to dodge the criticism.

It would be McCourt, and the Dodgers.

“They’re in a tough spot,” said David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute. “That could be a prudent decision based on what’s going on in the marketplace, and yet they’ll still get skewered for allowing him to leave.

“I don’t see any middle ground. If they let him go, it will reinforce the perception they’re not committed to winning. If they sign him, it will materially move the needle in their favor, and the fans will rally around him.”

Normally any player that essentially says that he plays the game for money is fair game to be publicly tarred and feathered. But I almost applaud Manny for being completely 100% honest. He’s destructive in a weird way, but whatever team signs him knows that and knows exactly what they’re getting. (I.e. A fantastic hitter, a phenomenal quote machine and one goofy personality.)

I’ll go ahead and beat all Yankee-haters to the bunch and say that Manny will be in pinstripes next year if he’s waiting to see who the highest bidder will be this offseason.