A "modest" ticket price increase honestly isn't that unexpected. Win or lose, inflation exists. Whether we're under or over the luxury tax, you still have to pay ushers, concessions, and the box office to staff the games. Whether we make the playoffs or not, there's still maintenance/improvements to be done at Fenway. In fact, you could argue that, by not making the playoffs, the Red Sox theoretically need MORE cash, since they're not getting any money from the first 1 or 2 home games in each post-season series.
I can't imagine it'll be much bigger than this year, when the "diamond tier" was introduced. They already have one built-in way to hike prices. Of the six diamond tier games played this year, there was the home opener, 3 Yankees games, and and two Dodgers games. The Dodgers go away, but we get two more home games against the Yankees thanks to London, which can fit right in to the diamond tier - charge extra for 1 Friday game, and all four Saturday/Sunday games.
Trying to stay under the luxury tax reeks of "rebuilding" when it's not necessary. Fans will rightly line Jersey Street with pitchforks and torches.
