Braves losses may hint at Cleveland Indians 2020 finances
The Atlanta Braves revenue loss may offer a hint of what the Cleveland Indians finances look like in 2020.
The Atlanta Braves revenue was down almost 95 percent for the second quarter, as the team made just $11 million April through June. The Braves made $208 million during the same span last season. Makes you wonder about the Cleveland Indians.
The Braves are owned by Liberty Media, which is a publicly traded company, meaning, the financial state of the franchise was revealed. The losses are no surprise, considering the team can’t sell tickets or concessions.
Atlanta ranked 12th in attendance last season, while the Indians were 21st.
The figures make you wonder what the Indians finances look like as the already fiscally tight organization plays without the main way they make money: at the gate.
The numbers also drive home the already assumed outcome involving Francisco Lindor–that he’ll either be traded next season or walk in free agency after the 2021 campaign.
What really gets hammered home is the unlikeness the Indians sign any kind of free agent in the near future. Signing Francisco Lindor–ok, $300 million is waaaaay out of their price range. But what about free agents such as Nick Castellanos? Wouldn’t he look good in an Indians uniform now?
He signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Reds. He’ll earn $16 million annually. Sure, it’s not the non-roster invitee salary the Indians would like to pay, but good players are going to command some money. If the Indians aren’t going to pursue Lindor, couldn’t they at least invest that money elsewhere, especially with a starting rotation that’s good enough to win it all.
Next. Browns: 3 offensive players who could have HUGE years in 2020. dark
The Indians financials won’t be revealed, as the team is privately owned, but you’ve now got an idea of what the financial losses look like, and what that could mean for the payroll in the foreseeable future.