Organized Chaos

Update, Aug. 1, 10 a.m.: Well, Manny was traded in a three-team deal after all, but he went to the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of Florida. The Dodgers actually have money to spend on him, while the Marlins really didn’t. Now Manny will play for former Yankees manager Joe Torre. How ironic is that?

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Wanna know why Manny Ramirez is often such a pill? Yes, it’s in his makeup, but the major factor is money.

Manny, who the Boston Red Sox have apparently grown sick of Manny being Manny, might be traded to the Florida Marlins on Thursday. The trade deadline is four hours away as I write this.

Manny said the Red Sox don’t deserve him. He said he’s better off without being a member of the team. Sound familiar (see Favre, Brett).

He’s forcing the team’s hand and unlike in the past, it appears likely this deal will be made. The Red Sox want to wipe their hands of him, but in doing so they may jeopardize their playoff standing.

Because let’s get one thing straight. Manny is a difference maker (though he’s been average for my fantasy team). He changes games when he wants to play. He also can be quite the cancer if he’s upset.

The problem isn’t so much Manny it’s that professional athletes are paid way too much to play a child’s game. Manny makes $20 million or so. he’s going to get paid if he plays for Florida or Boston or the Pawtucket Red Sox.

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It’s been said that you need to make the most of an opportunity. Brandon Jones is doing just that.

The Wewahitchka native and Tallahassee Community College baseball standout is playing exceptionally well with the Atlanta Braves since being called up on June 11. Through Saturday he was batting .379 with one home run, four RBIs and four runs scored in nine games and 29 at-bats.

His first career homer came on June 14 off Ervin Santana of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Jones was 3 for 5 in the Braves’ 9-3 win. He’s had two or more hits in four starts.

This is a great start for Jones, who could be with the Braves for some time if he keeps hitting. Early speculation was that the Braves were auditioning him for possible trade bait, but it’s also quite possible they just want to see if he is up for the challenge of playing every day at this level.

He had a stellar minor league season in 2007 and he was poised to start this season in at least a platoon with Matt Diaz. But Jones struggled in the spring and was optioned to Triple-A.

Now he has an opportunity to stay. It will be interesting to see if he does.

Individual and team salaries for all 30 Major League Baseball teams were released last week. And it’s no surprise that most of these guys are rolling in the dough.

First, here’s a glance at area players and their salaries (these do not reflect any performance bonuses which may be included in their contracts)

Jeff Mathis (Marianna): Will make $415,000 this season for the L.A. Angels, up from $327,000 a year ago.

Russell Martin (Chipola): Will take in $500,000 playing for the L.A. Dodgers, an increase in nearly $120,000.

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