Red Sox Raising Ticket Prices in 2020 is a Complete Slap in the Face to Every Fan | TOMMY'S TAKES

The only reason one can suspect this is going to be the case is because the Boston Red Sox splurged too much after their World Series win in 2018 and are now trying to make it all back...at the expense of the people who allow it all to happen in the first place.

Yup, the Red Sox are expected to increase ticket prices for the 2020 season, the year AFTER they disappointed, missed the playoffs, and fired their general manager.

Makes perfect sense, right? Because, of course, this news comes shortly after the team announced its goal this offseason is to slash payroll and get under the luxury tax threshold. That'll surely make the roster better and provide the fans with a worthwhile expensive product.

But then again, this is simply history repeating itself for the Red Sox. Inexplicably win a World Series without any bumps along the way coupled with some of the most incredible luck known to man, and then promptly miss the postseason the following year only to immediately start soul searching for a new identity to usher in a new era for the next 4-5 years.

We're sure the roster will remain competitive in the sense that the Red Sox won't lie down and take a beating from all of their opponents, but how can you sit there and try to make a fool of the common fans by telling them this roster is going to maintain the same level of competition without some of its best players?

If the team wants to cut payroll, that means either Mookie Betts or J.D. Martinez is gone. Perhaps both! That's not going to help the lineup. Jackie Bradley Jr. will likely have to be traded. That'll make the outfield defense a lot worse. Quality players are going to leave in some capacity, because there's little chance the front office will be able to unload the contracts of David Price ($32 million), Nathan Eovaldi ($17 million) and Dustin Pedroia ($13 million).

And we're supposed to sympathize with the guy that owns the Red Sox, Boston Globe and Liverpool F.C.?

Let's not forget this team still needs a lot of starting pitching. Rick Porcello will be gone and Eduardo Rodriguez continues to prove he's nothing more than a fifth starter. Shall we get started on the 18th-ranked bullpen in terms of ERA (4.40) too?

The least the Red Sox can do at this point is lower the prices of the meatballs in a cone, because next year's on-field product is likely going to be far inferior to 2018, and even 2019.