Washington Nationals

Value: $1.28 billion 1 year change: 83% Owner: Lerner Family The Nationals were tabbed as World Series favorites in Vegas after signing free agent pitcher Max Scherzer to a seven year, $210 million contract. The deal includes the largest deferral in the history of baseball, $105 million, which will be paid out in equal $15 million installments each July 1 between 2022 and 2028.