February 13, 2017
With pitchers and catchers officially reporting for Spring Training, the 2017 MLB season is just around the corner, and what better to celebrate hope springing eternal than by observing the resale market for the upcoming season? Several notable storylines have boosted prices for MLB tickets around the league, including World Series appearances from the Cubs and Indians, the Braves' new digs at SunTrust Park and the White Sox's busy offseason. Below we'll break down each team's season average price change from 2016. Be aware, it'll cost a pretty penny to see the World champion Cubs at Wrigley this season.
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AL East | Biggest Mover: Blue Jays (+18%) | Smallest Mover: Yankees (+8%)
The reigning AL East champions saw Edwin Encarnacion sign with the league champion Indians this offseason, but it appears that ticket demand will still high in Toronto in 2017. Jose Bautista's tumultuous winter ends with him still a member of the Blue Jays while Encarnacion's void will looked to be filled by Kendrys Morales. The Yankees have experienced the least price change in the division, increasing just 8 percent despite the additions of Aroldis Chapman, Matt Holliday and the continuing rise of phenom Gary Sanchez.
AL Central | Biggest Mover: White Sox (+34%) | Smallest Mover: Twins (-6%)
Parting ways with Chris Sale provided the White Sox with a massive haul of top prospects this offseason. Sale's blockbuster trade to the Red Sox returned Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech and two other prospects, giving White Sox fans plenty of reason to be excited for the future. Such names have increased the White Sox's season ticket average by 34% on the resale market. Meanwhile, the Twins are again projected to struggle this season, and tickets at Target Field have dropped 6 percent on average from last season.
AL West | Biggest Mover: Mariners (+46%) | Smallest Mover: Angels (-13%)
Could the first playoff berth in 16 years be on the horizon for the Mariners in 2017? The resale market apparently suggests so, as Mariners ticekts at Safeco Field have jumped 46% on average from last season. With Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano again leading the group in the AL West, they'll be looking to improve on their 86-win season from a year ago. The Angels are the smallest movers in the AL West this season, with ticket prices dropping 13 percent on average.
NL East | Biggest Mover: Phillies (+45%) | Smallest Mover: Marlins (-20%)
The Nationals and Mets may be the pride of the NL East, but momentum is building in the City of Brotherly Love. The startup Phillies have experienced a 45% jump in season ticket average and will hope to compete against the division's two juggernauts in 2017. The Marlins have experienced the biggest hit in resale season average, falling 20 percent at Marlins Park.
NL Central | Biggest Mover: Cubs (+39%) | Smallest Mover: Brewers (No Change)
Surprise, surprise: the reigning champion Cubs will be one of the hottest tickets this season. After breaking the 108-year title drought on Chicago's North Side the Cubs return to Wrigley Field as the team to beat in 2017. It will be a pricey ticket to the show, however, as Cubs tickets on the resale market have increase by 39 percent this season. The Brewers, on the other hand, are the smallest movers in the NL Central, maintaining their $59 season average from a year ago at Miller Park.
NL West | Biggest Mover: Giants (+23%) | Smallest Mover: Diamondbacks (-8%)
Familiar faces will line the Dodgers clubhouse in 2017 after the team re-signed several marquee players in the offseason, including Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and veteran Chase Utley. The team's NLCS appearance proved that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with in the NL West, but it is the Giants who have experienced the biggest jump in ticket price in 2017. Following the team's NLDS exit at the hands of the Cubs, Giants tickets at AT&T Park are up 23 percent on the resale market. The struggling Diamondbacks have tumbled the most in the division, dropping 8 percent on average after a lackluster 2016 campaign.
