NEW YORK - Manny Ramirez may be back in the American League East next season.

Citing several sources, the New York Post reported Saturday that the slugger wants to sign a free-agent deal with the New York Yankees this offseason.

Apparently tired of his antics, the Boston Red Sox sent Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the July 31 trade deadline. Now it appears the eccentric left fielder has revenge on his mind.

"He wants to play for the Yankees so he can get at the Red Sox," a close friend of Ramirez's told The Post.

Ramirez, 36, essentially pushed the Red Sox to deal him by badmouthing the organization, not hustling and sitting out a July 25 game against the Yankees with a knee injury that didn't show up on an MRI the next day.

One of the most gifted right-handed hitters in the history of the game, Ramirez is batting .313 with 1,681 RBI and 514 home runs over his 16-year career.

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