The Mariners announced a new value deal for this season, with a "limited number of tickets in the centerfield bleachers available for just $5 in 10 games spanning from March to May" at T-Mobile Park, according to Ben Arthur of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. The club on Thursday said that during those value games, there also will be concessions and team store merchandise "available to fans at $5 per item" (SEATTLEPI.com, 1/23). Mariners Senior VP/Ticket Sales Frances Traisman said the plan is being used to offer opportunities for consumers to have an "affordable outing" at T-Mobile Park. CNBC.com's Jabari Young noted the Mariners are "aware of their struggles over the years." After finishing in the top 15 in MLB attendance for '18 (28,388 average), the club "dropped to 20th last season," averaging 22,122. The club has not made the postseason since '01, and it also has "remained quiet during free agency," with the top free agent signing so far this offseason being P Kendall Graveman to a one-year, $2M deal. The club will enter this season with an $87M payroll -- a decrease from its $144M payroll last year (CNBC.com, 1/25). In Seattle, Matt Calkins asked, "Honestly, what is the appeal of this year's big-league team, which could very well have a triple-digit loss column? Where is the star fans will gravitate to?" Star power is something the Mariners have "never really been without," featuring players like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki and Felix Hernandez (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/26).
