I would submit that Scott Boras has has sold his soul to the and is the most ruthless, money hungry agent available to any pro sports player today. His company is making bank.
Not sure what the ploy is here but it's not just about money. Seriously, both Manny and Boras are as rich as they ever want or need to be. There's some other factors at play. Personally, I don't cringe at these salaries because they simply would not pay ANY of these players if the money wasn't there. That's why you have small market and big market teams. Tampa is small time and they have to build through the draft and farm system Their payroll will reflect that. It may jump now because of the success they've had. But that success means more money, more ability to shell out the bucks.
Take L.A. and Manny. L.A. traditionally draws huge numbers but they've been starving to get back to the prominence they once enjoyed. Manny gave them a taste. As a result, they made the playoffs, apparel sales skyrocketed, TV contracts went up etc. Now, some basic math. According to ESPN..
The Dodgers drew 3,730,000 fans last year. The average ticket price to Dodger stadium is $30.00. JUST....JUST the gate raked in $111,900,000.00. Now, start adding on for the $9.00 beers and $10.00 stadium dogs and the gift shop sales and the restaurants in the stadium and on and on and on. What kind of TV contract do you think the Dodgers have worked out? How about the sale of Dodger gear all around the country, of which they certainly take a cut. And if a team makes the playoffs..whoa!! The numbers are downright staggering. Don't think cash isn't readily available in the big markets to pay these guys and make the owners VERY rich as well.
People pay money to see Manny be Manny. They pay to see Pujolz knock the left field fence down. They pay to see Ortiz spit in his hands, clap em' together and stroke it to the short porch in right. And they certainly pay to see A-Roid chase the home run record. If you're in a big market, money ain't the issue most of the time.