Jose Canseco bulked up his wallet yesterday by selling his 2000 Yankees World Series ring for $40,000.

Canseco, the author of a controversial tell-all about steroid use in baseball, had offered the ring, featuring 22 major diamonds and 34.5 grams of gold, for sale on his Web site.

ESPN.com reported the prized bauble was up for sale on Sunday, and a California collector snatched up the ring yesterday.

It’s not clear if Canseco needs the cash since his controversial book, “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits and How Baseball Got Big,” has been one of Amazon.com’s top 20 bestsellers for two weeks.

But two Massachusetts newspapers, The Berkshire Eagle and The Lowell Sun reported the 40-year-old former outfielder owes $32,793 in taxes to the state dating from the days when he played with the Red Sox (1995-96).

His agent claimed it was all a misunderstanding arising from the fact the accounting firm that handled Canseco’s taxes didn’t file a return.

Selling rings is nothing new to Canseco and his twin brother, Ozzie. Jose Canseco sold his 1986 AL Rookie of the Year ring for $5,100 while Ozzie sold his 1990 American League Championship ring for $6,000.

“He sold trophies, his World Series, sold everything that had true meaning to the average baseball player. He did that because he never really liked the game,” said former Oakland A’s teammate Dave Stewart.

Fans dismayed at not having to shell out 40 grand for Canseco’s ring can still avail themselves of other products for sale on his Web site.

For example, an autographed copy of “Juiced” is going for $58 – $30 more than a non-autographed copy.

The Yankees claimed Canseco off waivers in August 2000 to keep him from going to the Red Sox.

He earned the World Series ring after playing in only 37 games. He had one at-bat in the Subway Series against the Mets – and struck out. After the season, the Yanks decided to buy him out rather than pick up his option.

In his tell-all, Canseco accuses Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez of juicing.

All but Giambi have vehemently denied it.