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Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox Headline Forbes' List of MLB's Most Valuable Teams

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistApril 9, 2020

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12:  Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by his teammate Aaron Judge #99 after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in game one of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 12, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Bob Levey/Getty Images

The New York Yankees remain the most valuable MLB franchise, according to Forbes.

The Yankees are estimated to be worth $5 billion, up from $4.6 billion in 2019. The top five remains unchanged, as the Los Angeles Dodgers ($3.4 billion), Boston Red Sox ($3.3 billion), Chicago Cubs ($3.2 billion) and San Francisco Giants ($3.1 billion) follow the Bronx Bombers.

Here's the full list:

           

MLB Team Valuations

1. New York Yankees, $5 billion

2. Los Angeles Dodgers, $3.4 billion

3. Boston Red Sox, $3.3 billion

4. Chicago Cubs, $3.2 billion

5. San Francisco Giants, $3.1 billion

6. New York Mets, $2.4 billion

7. St. Louis Cardinals, $2.2 billion

8. Philadelphia Phillies, $2.0 billion

9. Los Angeles Angels, $1.975 billion

10. Washington Nationals, $1.9 billion

11. Houston Astros, $1.85 billion

12. Atlanta Braves, $1.8 billion

13. Texas Rangers, $1.75 billion

14. Chicago White Sox, $1.65 billion

15. Toronto Blue Jays, $1.625 billion

16. Seattle Mariners, $1.6 billion

17. San Diego Padres, $1.45 billion

18. Baltimore Orioles, $1.4 billion

19. Minnesota Twins, $1.3 billion

20. Arizona Diamondbacks, $1.29 billion

21. Colorado Rockies, $1.275 billion

22. Pittsburgh Pirates, $1.26 billion

23. Detroit Tigers, $1.25 billion

24. Milwaukee Brewers, $1.2 billion

25. Cleveland Indians, $1.15 billion

26. Oakland Athletics, $1.1 billion

27. Cincinnati Reds, $1.075 billion

28. Tampa Bay Rays, $1.05 billion

29. Kansas City Royals, $1.025 billion

30. Miami Marlins, $980 million

           

Forbes projected the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins to be the only MLB teams whose valuations declined from last year.

Fans in Pittsburgh are beginning to vote with their feet after watching the Pirates miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season and continue selling off their best players. The Pirates averaged 30,846 fans in 2015, their last playoff run, and saw the number fall to 18,412 in 2019.

The Marlins, meanwhile, are still struggling to rebuild their fanbase's trust after the new ownership group, which includes Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, slashed costs immediately after taking control in 2017.

Pittsburgh and Miami's financial futures are unlikely to improve, though they can take some solace in the fact that the rest of the league will be right there with them.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the 2020 MLB season on hold indefinitely.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported MLB officials and players have discussed a plan in which every team would play games at stadiums in and around Phoenix, and the regular season would begin as early as May.

However, many have questioned the viability of the idea.

According to Passan, some inside MLB believe June to be a better target date for Opening Day.