If the Tampa Bay Rays sign free agent Johnny Damon, the natural assumption is that they would be out on Manny Ramirez or Vladimir Guerrero.

Not necessarily.

For the right price, the Rays could add Damon plus Ramirez or Guerrero, major-league sources say — and Ramirez would seem to be more likely, given that he probably will cost less.

Under such a scenario, Damon would get most of his at-bats in left field. Ramirez or Guerrero would be the primary DH. And the boost to the Rays’ offense could be significant.

The additions of two veteran hitters would protect the Rays against injury and inconsistency by some of their less accomplished players — outfielder Matt Joyce, shortstop Reid Brignac, infielder Sean Rodriguez and first baseman Dan Johnson.

Imagine: Damon and Ramirez, two former Red Sox, doing battle against Boston in the AL East.

It’s not out of the question.

— Ken Rosenthal