NEW YORK -- One-third of Major League Baseball teams, including the Detroit Tigers , declined in value over the past year, while the New York Yankees' worth increased 15 percent to $1.5 billion, according to annual estimates by Forbes magazine.
The Washington Nationals took the biggest hit, down 12 percent to $406 million. The Atlanta Braves dropped 10 percent, and the Tigers and Seattle Mariners were off 9 percent, the magazine said Wednesday. The Tigers were valued at $371 million and ranked 21st by the magazine.
The decline by 10 teams was the most since 2004, Forbes said.
Bolstered by their new $1.5 billion stadium, the Yankees showed the top increase and remained the most valuable franchise in the majors. The New York Mets, also boosted by a new ballpark, were second in value ($912 million) and increase (11 percent).
Boston ($833 million), the Los Angeles Dodgers ($722 million) and the Chicago Cubs ($700 million) followed at the top.
