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The San Diego Padres rank 19th in franchise value out of 30 Major League Baseball teams this year, according to a list published Wednesday by Forbes. The magazine estimated the franchise’s
value at $890 million, a 45 percent increase over last year. The magazine listed revenue of $224 million and operating income of $35 million. The authors noted the team’s off-season
acquisitions of big-name players like pitcher James Shields and outfielders Matt Kemp and Justin Upton. The Padres’ value outpaced that of the Cincinnati Reds, an original league franchise,
and National League West rivals Colorado Rockies, 23rd, and Arizona Diamondbacks, 24th. The New York Yankees led the list with a franchise value of $3.2 billion. The Los Angeles Dodgers and
San Francisco Giants, also divisional opponents, ranked second and fourth, respectively with values of $2.4 billion and $2 billion. According to Forbes, the 30 teams combined have a combined
value of $36 billion — 48 percent more than last year. Half the teams are valued at least $1 billion, up from four last year. The increased is being fueled by television revenue, according
to the magazine. — _City News Service_