What incentive do I have to attend a Tigers game this season? While all star players like Keuchel and Kimbrel sat out half a season because teams wouldn’t pay them, Detroit was trotting out a guy named Gregory Soto, who over 4 outings has an ERA above 11. The team has been at the bottom of the standings for the last two seasons, and their GM even made comments about how they don’t plan to spend money/compete until maybe 2021. The worst part is that unlike the Red Wings, who are awful but have young and talented future players like Larkin, Mantha, and Zadina playing at the NHL level, the Tigers aren’t in a hurry to bring up their top prospects despite some of them dominating minor league ball. The way the MLB’s 40 man roster / 25 man roster works, its harmful for a losing club to give a younger player a shot. Why would I want to go to a Tigers game in 2019 to see Miguel Cabrera and a cast of fringe MLB players who will never really be that special? There’s literally nothing to be excited about, and unless you REALLY love the game, you don’t have a reason to attend.
My family owned a season ticket package for years. Then, I kept noticing Stubhub had better seats available for less money than our package was worth. Maybe offer more to the fans who are willing to buy packages? Offer the opportunity to meet the players- even if the family purchases a minimal package. Or, offer complimentary soda/hot dogs/whatever along with the tickets. My father might have kept buying season tickets if he actually felt like there was a reason to do it.
Overall, there’s a lot of other things for me to spend my time and money on than overpriced beer and a ticket to a mediocre ballgame.