CLEVELAND | The latest figures from Forbes magazine show the Royals made $9 million last season before adjustments and contend the franchise’s value increased $13 million to $314 million.</p><p> Forbes’ annual franchise valuations typically prompt dissent from the clubs but remain the most popular method of comparison because Major League Baseball does not release its figures.</p><p> The Royals’ value ranks 28th among the 30 clubs, down one notch from last season. The New York Yankees rank first at $1.5 billion, followed by the New York Mets at $912 million and the Boston Red Sox at $833 million.</p><p> The Florida Marlins rank 30th at $277 million but generated the biggest operating profit at $43.7 million. The Yankees, in contrast, lost $3.7 million.</p><p> The Royals’ $9 million in profit does not include deductions for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The magazine reported the club made a $7.4 million operating profit in 2007.</p><p> The magazine bases its value on revenues and operating income from 2008, including the net of revenue sharing, and considers a club’s current stadium deal without a deduction for debt other than stadium debt.</p><p> Forbes reports 22 clubs generated more operating profit than the Royals. The Yankees and Detroit Tigers were the only clubs to show an operating loss. The Tigers lost $26.3 million.</p><p> Despite healthy growth for most clubs in operating profits, the magazine contends 10 franchises decreased in value over the last year. Washington showed a 12 percent decline, while the Yankees had the biggest increase at 15 percent. </p><p> Forbes contends the Royals showed a 4 percent increase in value after generating $143 million last year in revenue, up from $131 million in 2007. It also says player expenses increased from $74 million to $83 million, while gate receipts jumped from $24 million to $27 million.</p><p><b>Forbes’ annual valuations on the Royals</b></p><p>Year Value Revenue Operating profit or loss</p><p>2009 $314 million $143 million plus $9 million</p><p>2008 $301 million $131 million plus $7.4 million</p><p>2007 $282 million $123 million plus $8 million</p><p>2006 $239 million $117 million plus $21 million</p><p>2005 $187 million $104 million plus $3 million</p><p>2004 $171 million $98 million plus $7 million</p><p>2003 $153 million $85 million minus $11 million</p><p>2002 $152 million $85 million plus $2 million</p><p>2001 $138 million $73 million plus $4 million</p><p>2000 $122 million $63 million plus $6 million</p><p>1999 $96 million $54 million minus $11 million</p><p><b>Mahay’s early woes</b></p><p> Lefty reliever Ron Mahay has yet to show the form the made him on of the American League’s top setup relievers last season before a foot injury zapped his effectiveness over the final two months.</p><p> Mahay produced his fourth straight disappointing performance Thursday when he yielded a three-run homer to Grady Sizemore after inheriting a tie game in the eighth inning with two on and one out from Gil Meche.</p><p> “I would agree,” manager Trey Hillman said, “that he’s not off to the same start that we saw last year.”</p><p> Mahay has allowed four earned runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings over his last four appearances. He also allowed four inherited runners to score in that span.</p><p><b>Aviles moves down</b></p><p> Shortstop Mike Aviles, mired in a zero-for-13 skid, dropped from second to eighth in the lineup. Alberto Callaspo replaced Aviles in the No. 2 slot.</p><p> “I’m really trying to take a little pressure off of Mike,” Hillman said, “and at the same time take advantage of Callaspo up top.”