In Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt notes the Brewers are “on track to increase their payroll by more than 50% from last season,” and it “could go higher.” Of course, it is “not difficult to bump payroll higher when you were operating with the lowest” in MLB in ‘17 -- just shy of $60M to start the season. That left the Brewers with “financial flexibility heading into this year and they’ve taken advantage of that position to boost their talent level.” The payroll appears to be “headed toward” about $90M. That number would “still be near the bottom” in MLB for the Brewers, who are in the “smallest media market” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/6).
CATCH OF THE DAY: In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis notes under the Marlins’ new tiered season-ticket program, more members “will be eligible for savings” of up to 20% on concessions and merchandise. A menu of rewards and benefits is “based on the type and level of membership purchased, varying from 20-game to half-season and full-season plans, and whether the plan selected extends for one or as many as five seasons.” Among the new features is a “past-game option in the ticket exchange program that will enable season-ticket members to exchange tickets for games they have missed.” The new feature “complements the existing future-game option" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 2/6).
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES: In K.C., Pete Grathoff notes ’18 is the Royals' 50th season there, so fans “should expect a heavy dose of nostalgia this year.” That was “certainly the theme of this year’s ‘Super Bowl commercial,’ an annual tradition in which the Royals release a video” ahead of the game. Actor Paul Rudd “narrated the video,” and there is also a “sweet nod to former manager Dick Howser.” The 60-second spot will “likely tug at the heartstrings of fans” (K.C. STAR, 2/6).
