Big League Stew - MLB

Big League Stew

Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:05 pm EDT

Will the Tigers be the first MLB team to hold a fire sale this year?

By 'Duk

All spring, we've heard speculation that some baseball teams will be running a financial gauntlet this season as the discretionary spending of Americans disappears faster than the stardom of Dontrelle Willis and Travis Hafner. 

For the most part, that talk has been pure conjecture, a logical guess based on the other worn down areas of the economy. While we assumed a ballpark slowdown was a certainty, the absence of any evidence made us believe there might be a slight chance that pro sports might prove to be relatively recession-proof.

Yet it's time to pull our heads up from the sand, folks. We can't hold out hope any longer.

In what might prove to be the initial warning siren to an approaching storm, the Detroit Free Press reported today that the Tigers season ticket holder base has fallen from 27,000 in 2008 to only 15,000 for the season ahead. ESPN's Buster Olney then reported that the Tigers might be the team most susceptible to an early fire sale if single-game ticket sales can't come close to covering payroll, which was the second-highest in baseball last year.   

From Olney's blog (subscription req'd):

"Many executives expect that within weeks of the start of the season, there will be a veritable fire sale of players throughout the game. Financially troubled teams will look to dump assets, like companies unloading stocks to maintain some liquidity. The Tigers are one of the teams most frequently mentioned as a candidate to employ that kind of sell-off." 

Now, it's true that the Tigers have a couple of unusual factors working when it comes to the decrease in season ticket sales. For one, they play in Detroit, one of the most affected economies in the nation. For another, they had a poor last-place record of 74-88 in 2008, a mark that's sure to drive down sales in almost any market.

Still, there's no way you can think this news portends any good news on the horizon for most baseball teams or that anyone else would be immune to a mass dumping of players at cut-rate prices. Before I'm done with work for the day, I should probably make sure we create a special category especially for stories like these on The Stew. They're not going anywhere.   

A big BLS head nod to Mack Avenue Tigers, which provides a good analysis of this situation from the local perspective in Detroit Rock City.  

digg delicious
more

53 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Mack Avenue Kurt
    1. Posted by Mack Avenue Kurt Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Thanks for the link, 'Duk.
    Not that I don't discount the fact there are bad things going on right now for the Tigers, as I wrote. It's certainly been a disconcerting month of March. But I think a lot of the speculation about a fire sale is just the wishful thinking. The Tigers do have some players other teams would certainly like. Of course many of them have contracts the Tigers don't need to shed. Most of the contracts the Tigers would love to shed, no one would want. Couple that with an aging owner who would like to win, and I just don't buy into the Tigers being the team with a fire sale.
  2. Secret
    2. Posted by Secret Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I am no financial expert/advisor but you have to figure Detroit is going to be one of the, if not the hardest hit teams by our Nations current financial fiasco. The cities nickname after all is Motown. They have one of the highest unemployment rates in our country due to the fact that a major source of this cities income is the automotive industry. If this city truly has loyal fans, ownership should do its fair share to help these loyal season ticket holders with a discounted price!!!
  3. peacoji1
    3. Posted by peacoji1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:05 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hey let's go a step further and not only discount some prices for the loyal season ticket holders, but maybe start slashing some salaries for players that are not producing. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who thinks that MLB players make way too much money.........I understand that players will take as much as they can get, but where is it going to end?
  4. Josh Truman
    4. Posted by Josh Truman Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:07 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Granderson, CF, Cubs, Now!
    .... PppppPlease?
  5. Ken
    5. Posted by Ken Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Marlins are looking pretty smart now! LOL
  6. Benedictus
    6. Posted by Benedictus Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    You dummies are writing about the economic downturn affecting Detroit while you're stuffing your fat faces with a Hot'n'Ready. The Ford family doesn't own the Tigers, Mike Ilitch does and he has money to burn. He also owns Little Caesars and the Red Wings and is deeply concerned with seeing the Tigers win a ring on his watch before he dies. Granderson and Cabrera will be Tiger cornerstones for at least the next 4 seasons and probably much longer. Magglio is the only one I can see being moved if the season sours. Now, shut up. Especially you Ken, the Tigers gave up nothing for a potential HOF-er.
  7. CoreyH
    7. Posted by CoreyH Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'm still waiting for a legit BLS story. Why do I read this?
  8. Sumadartson
    8. Posted by Sumadartson Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:10 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hey Figment is it you cant count or read? Looks like your #2. And your comment Figment about the Tiger outfield? well thats just a FIGMENT of your imagination. Typical Yankee fan wants to always BUY everything, including a World Series.If anyone goes its going to be Ordonez. I cant see any value for hop along Sheffield. And Ken, when the Marlins win a World Series then come back with your comments about looking smart, until then shut up!
  9. Vance in Sacramento
    9. Posted by Vance in Sacramento Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Marlins HAVE won a WS more recently than the Tigers... donkey... The Marlins have been in existence since 1993, and have won 2 World Series. The Tigers have only been to 1 since that time and lost it. But what do I care? I'm a Braves fan...
  10. El
    10. Posted by El Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Miggy C is welcome to the Mets. we do need a 1B after Delgado is gone after this season. this is a no brainer.
  11. Steve
    11. Posted by Steve Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:43 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hey Figment, shouldn't you be studying for your GED rather than posting all the time?
  12. Jay Mac
    12. Posted by Jay Mac Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I can ride my bike with no handle bars.
  13. Scotty G
    13. Posted by Scotty G Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:13 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How could you mention a "fire sale" and not mention that arrested development scene?
  14. Rob S
    14. Posted by Rob S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Detroit will not get rid of any top players. They only want to dump the several outrageous contracts they have i.e. robertson, willis, sheffield, etc. Granderson, cabrara, and porcello will be in the D for a long time
  15. bj1891
    15. Posted by bj1891 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    you retards can keep dreaming on Grandy and Miggy. They arent going anywhere...now if youre talking about sheff, maggs, or anyone else on our roster, im sure we will listen intently.
  16. Nick G
    16. Posted by Nick G Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I think the economy has a lot less to do with Detroit's drop in season ticket sales than their crappy pitching staff does. If they get off to a half-way decent start then ticket sales will pick up. People will justify spending money on entertainment but only if the team is actually entertaining. No fun going to the ballpark when you know your offense scoring 10 runs isn't enough to lock up a win since your pitching staff is likely to let in 11. Cheering a winning team is more fun with other fans but swearing and muttering at a lousy one is just as good by yourself at home.
  17. Billy Mahone
    17. Posted by Billy Mahone Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Finally a worthy article... keep it up
  18. Billy Mahone
    18. Posted by Billy Mahone Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    NOT!!!! jejeje
  19. mike h
    19. Posted by mike h Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Josh, as terrific an idea that putting Granderson in a Cubs uniform would be, I would guess that he is still a young player and I dont think the Tigers would be stupid enough to trade him. I think the Tigers will wait to see how the season shakes out before dumping anyone. They are in a very competitive division and if things were to go a certain way, they might have a realistic shot at winning it, depending on the Sox starting pitching, how Mauers injury will impact the Twins and if Kerry Wood stays healthy with the Indians. Of course, sentiment still has me rooting for the Sox to win, though Im a realist.
  20. LakerDeez
    20. Posted by LakerDeez Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Everyone forgets that the Tigers were in bad shape with a lot of injuries the last year. What would happen if any team lost their number 1 or 2 starter. As well as one of their big time set up guy in Joel Zumaya. I love the Dodgers, but its like if the Dodgers lost Billingsly or Kershaw for any amount of time, we would suck too. The Tigers will do much better this year. How can anyone say anything bad about Miggy, except for his defense, his hitting prowess is amazing.
  21. Marko
    21. Posted by Marko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Why does no one ever blame the reduction in ticket sales to Illitch raising prices? Prices for concessions and tickets have been going up since the Tigers made their World Series run and the Tigers continue to look as though they will return to their old ways in the 90's. Illitch wanted to milk this fan base dry, and hes doing it. This is an easy task for him since hes been doing it to the city and its community for a long time.
    Will they ever part ways with Sheffield? Just cut the guy already.
  22. roadkill6123
    22. Posted by roadkill6123 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I love reading what other fans post about their teams getting players. There is no way in hell the Tigers are going to move Granderson, Cabrera or Verlander. Those 3 are untouchable. It'd be at best Magglio or Gullen, which both have expiring contracts soon, so it isn't a neccestiy. Keep dreaming... and buying your world series Yanks and Bosox. The cubs could spend all the money in the world, but it doesn't matter... theyre cursed. Plus it's April... so way too early to even think about the Tigers selling.
  23. LB
    23. Posted by LB Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    if this is true, tigers don't get off to a hot start and sheff show's he can still hit, he'll be a met by july. or maybe even magglio.
    21. your team is still in bad shape. pen doesn't look much better than last year and sounds like the entire rotation is decimated by injuries right now.
  24. litgo
    24. Posted by litgo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:54 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Like pretty much anything these days though, before you can sell, you need a buyer. A majority of teams will be in the same cash pinch as the Tigers, so if I were a betting man I'd say the fire sales won't start early because no one wants to carry salaries all season. If it happens at all, it'll be July. And what's with the juvenile desire to be "first" on these things? Get a job.

Big League Stew

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

'Duk

Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
David Brown, Alex Remington, Steve Henson, Curtis Granderson, Jay Levin,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More MLB Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Big League Stew Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)