MLB Franchise Notes: Giants Introduce Dynamic Pricing For Spring Training Games

In Phoenix, Peter Corbett noted the Giants have introduced a dynamic pricing system for their Cactus League games that is "based on demand," similar to airline-ticket pricing. Pricing for the outfield grass berms "has increased at Scottsdale Stadium from the league-standard $8 to as much as $26, including a $3.50 handling fee." That is "more than the per-game price of $25 for a season-ticket holder's box seat for the Giants' spring games." Giants Senior VP/Facilities Alfonso Felder "encouraged fans to buy their tickets early or pick weekday and less-popular games to avoid the premium prices" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/2). The Giants in '09 introduced the dynamic-pricing concept for regular-season games at AT&T Park (THE DAILY).

SEASON TICKET UPDATES: In St. Paul, Tom Powers reports the Twins have "sold out their 25,000 Target Field season tickets" for the '11 season, a franchise record. The previous high mark was set last year with 24,500 season tickets for the team's inaugural year at the ballpark (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/3). Meanwhile, MLB.com's Corey Brock reported the Padres have "surpassed the 10,000 mark in season-ticket sales for the upcoming season, putting them well ahead of where they were at a year ago." At this time last year they "had sold 8,240 season tickets." This year marks the "first time the franchise has eclipsed the 10,000 mark in season-ticket sales since the 2008 season" (MLB.com, 3/1).

STANDING FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN: The Indians' payroll this season will be about $46.8M, and in Akron, Sheldon Ocker wrote, "So what if the club wins 75-80 games? The Indians are striking a blow for fiscal responsibility at a time when salaries are threatening to spiral out of control again." There are "those who criticize" Owner Larry Dolan and his son, Chair & CEO Paul Dolan, for "refusing to participate in the annual budget-busting free-agent frenzy." But Ockler wrote, "Enough is enough" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/27).

ALLOCATING THEIR RESOURCES: SI.com's Joe Lemire wrote the $30.7M the Pirates have spent "signing their picks from the last three drafts, the most by any team in the majors," is a "staggering reality for a club whose major-league payroll annually ranks near the bottom of the league and hasn't exceeded" $50M since '03. Pirates GM Neal Huntington: "We can't spend the amount of money it takes to bring in a top-of-the-rotation starter or a middle-of-the-lineup bat. Or, really, a middle-of-the-rotation starter or just an everyday player. We have to develop those from within." However, Lemire wrote at some point the Pirates "will need to spend more on the big-league club," as "no team can fully and adequately stock a competitive roster entirely with its own draft picks" (SI.com, 2/28).