MLB Franchise Notes: Astros Freezing Season-Ticket Prices Again

The Astros yesterday announced that they will not increase season-ticket pricing for the '10 season. The team is introducing a new "Buy Two, Get Two Free" season-ticket offer, allowing fans to purchase two tickets in the View Deck I, View Deck II or select Terrace Deck sections and receive two of equal value for free (Astros). MLB.com's Brian McTaggart noted the offer is the "first of its kind by a major professional sports franchise in the Houston market." This also marks the second straight season in which the Astros will hold steady the cost of season tickets (MLB.com, 9/16).

VALUE VILLAGE: In San Jose, Todd Wills reported the A's are lowering ticket prices by an average of 10% for next season, marking the "third straight year the A's have not increased season-ticket prices and decreased some." The A's also said that they will "offer season packages designed to maximize flexibility and value" in addition to a new "Free Parking Tuesdays" initiative. A's VP/Sales & Marketing Jim Leahey said that the franchise is "committed to making the ballpark experience 'as affordable as possible'" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 9/16).

BOUNTY HUNTERS: Baseball writer Murray Chass noted the Pirates will finish the '09 season with a payroll around $20M after starting with $48.7M in player salaries, as the "players they traded during the season have salaries" totaling $31M. The Pirates, "one of the smallest revenue teams in the majors, received" about $40M in revenue sharing last season and "most likely will get at least that much, despite the economy, for this year." Chass: "Simply put, the Pirates are an embarrassment to Pittsburgh and an embarrassment to Major League Baseball. It’s not just that the Pirates are a poor team, a losing team, but they are an embarrassment because of the way they have become a worse team than they already were and how they are trying to hoodwink their fans" (MURRAYCHASS.com, 9/16).