Call to the pen
Fansided

Boston Red Sox fans lose in ticket price increases

By David Hill

BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 5: Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, right, departs the dugout after he sat and had a conversation with manager Alex Cora, seated at left, before the start of the game. The Boston Red Sox host the Minnesota Twins in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Sep. 5, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 5: Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, right, departs the dugout after he sat and had a conversation with manager Alex Cora, seated at left, before the start of the game. The Boston Red Sox host the Minnesota Twins in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Sep. 5, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Red Sox plan on raising ticket prices once again as they try to squeeze every last dollar from their fanbase.

The 2019 campaign was a disappointment for the Boston Red Sox. Fresh off of a World Series championship, the Red Sox were expected to be contenders once again. Instead, a mediocre bullpen and a lackluster performance by the rotation doomed Boston to a third place finish, missing the postseason and leading to the ouster of general manager Dave Dombrowski.

To top off that disappointing season, Red Sox ownership announced that they plan to cut payroll, looking to get below the luxury tax. It is possible that Mookie Betts could be on the block, or that J.D. Martinez departs if he exercises his opt-out. The coming years could be difficult in Boston.

Nonetheless, one annual tradition will continue for the Red Sox. They will continue to attempt to squeeze more money from the fanbase, announcing on Tuesday that they will once again increase ticket prices for the coming year.

More from Call to the Pen

Since the end of the 2010 season, the Red Sox have increased ticket prices seven times. Since the end of the 2015 season, they have raised ticket prices every year. While this 1.7% increase seems like small change compared to the whopping 4.8% increase following the 2013 campaign, it is still another way to gouge the fans.

As it was, the Red Sox had the fifth highest average ticket price in the majors. This increase should push their pricing beyond the fourth place Cardinals, unless St. Louis raises their own prices. The Red Sox were also the most expensive team to enjoy an evening at the ballpark when concessions were factored in.

These prices would be understandable had the Red Sox had another championship season. Or if the Red Sox intended to remain above the luxury tax, keep the roster together, and attempt to get those pieces they needed to rebuild the bullpen. Instead, the expectations are that the fans will pay top dollar to hang around Fenway Park, sing ‘Sweet Caroline,’ and be seen rather than watch the action on the diamond.

Maybe that is the plan after all. The Red Sox rotation was a disaster last season, and the bullpen was somehow worse. Betts is one of the five best players in the game, an irreplaceable cog in the lineup. Martinez is the power bat that the lineup desperately needed. And even then, the Red Sox may need to make additional move to get below the luxury tax.

Steve Pearce waited a year too long. dark. Next

The Boston Red Sox are raising ticket prices once again, only to attempt to cut payroll during the offseason. Those moves will help their profit margins, but in the end, it is the fans that will suffer.

Home/Boston Red Sox