The Astros, who are "in danger of finishing with the worst record in baseball for the fourth consecutive season," announced Friday that they "will raise ticket prices" for the '15 season, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The Astros "had not raised prices for season-ticket holders" since '08. Astros President of Baseball Operations Reid Ryan said that the "price increase will affect" about 70% of tickets. He added that the team "hopes the price increase helps add" to payroll next season. The Astros have had one of the "lowest payrolls in baseball the last two seasons." Ryan: "When you don’t have a price increase for seven or eight years, it’s almost like you don’t have a cost-of-living increase." The "premium Diamond ($375 to $400) and Insperity ($150 to $175) will go up $25 a game." For season-ticket holders, increases will be "up to $12 per game but renewing customers will get a discount." The team will have 17 "different pricing levels." Ryan said, "We still have extremely affordable prices. We still have $5 tickets" (CHRON.com, 8/1).
