The Mets have raised '13 single-game ticket prices "for nearly every seating category, regardless of whether it is for the most expensive dates like opening day and the interleague series against the Yankees or for less appealing matchups early and late in the season against less popular teams," according to Ken Belson of the N.Y. TIMES. The Mets also have "lowered prices for some games that are purchased as part of season-ticket plans," meaning fans are "offered small discounts" for renewing. The strategy "seems to be to get fans to buy tickets to games they might not otherwise attend." For instance, to get a lower-priced ticket for opening day, fans can "buy tickets to 14 other games." Mets Exec VP/Business Operations Dave Howard said that the higher single-game ticket prices were "designed to encourage fans to buy season-ticket plans that include access to a top-valued game as well as discounts on tickets in other categories." But Belson noted fans that opt for single-game tickets can "get ready for some eye-popping increases." For what the Mets label marquee games, the cheapest ticket is $63, 75% more than last season, "when the cheapest seat for such games was $36." Metropolitan Box seats -- the "most expensive nonclub seats at Citi Field -- jumped to $245 from $160," a 53% increase. For what the Mets label premium games, "most of which take place during the summer," prices rose by amounts ranging from 2-78%, while single-game tickets for "less desirable games" rose by as much as 57%. The cheapest available tickets "went to $15 from $12" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/15).
KNUCKLING UNDER: A source said that the Mets yesterday agreed to trade P R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays "for top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard and others." In N.Y., Andy Martino reports the deal is "pending an agreement between Dickey and the Blue Jays on a contract extension." A separate source said that the parties "had already begun preliminary talks on Sunday afternoon, in advance of a Tuesday deadline." The source said that they "did not know when an agreement would be reached" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/17). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Daniel Barbarisi writes the reported trade "signals a commitment to a brighter future -- and virtually assures a dismal present" for the Mets (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/17). In N.Y., Tyler Kepner writes the Mets by trading Dickey "essentially told their fans that they do not expect to contend for the next three years" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/17).
