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Wander Franco investigation: Updates, background and some perspective

What we know so far regarding the Rays All-Star shortstop, and what possible outcomes could result from the Dominican Republic and MLB’s probes.
 
Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces investigations from the attorney general's office in the Dominican Republic and from Major League Baseball over allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with one or more minors.
Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces investigations from the attorney general's office in the Dominican Republic and from Major League Baseball over allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with one or more minors. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]
Published Aug. 15, 2023|Updated Aug. 22, 2023

ST. PETERSBURG — It’s been a week since social media blew up with allegations of inappropriate conduct by Wander Franco, and speculation continues to run rampant despite minimal details being acknowledged by the Tampa Bay Rays, Major League Baseball and authorities in the Dominican Republic.

Here is a roundup that sorts through the rumors, memes and gossip to explain what has happened so far, what’s likely to come and what it means for Franco and the Rays:

The accusation

A series of social media posts on X — formerly known as Twitter — accused Franco of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in the Dominican Republic. The posts suggest the relationship began when the girl was 14, although it’s not clear whether the alleged encounter was recent or several years ago.

The Diario Libre newspaper reported Aug. 15, based on anonymous sources, that prosecutors believe there are more minors involved. A 17-year-old girl, according to the newspaper, initially came forward but is no longer cooperating. The National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit is handling the Franco probe in the Dominican Republic.

Franco’s response

The 22-year-old shortstop posted a video from the Rays clubhouse on Instagram Live the morning of Aug. 13 that seems to refute the allegations, although he does not go into detail.

“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor,” Franco said in Spanish. “People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody … because people gossip and talk smack.”

Someone off-camera is heard saying in Spanish that “people always looking to get money.” Centerfielder Jose Siri then dances across the screen behind Franco.

The video was later taken down from Franco’s account. Franco left the clubhouse before the Aug. 13 game ended and has not spoken to the media. On Aug. 14, the Rays announced the team and Franco had agreed that he would go on the restricted list for at least a week and would not join the team on its current road trip.

Franco hired noted sports attorney Jay Riesinger to represent him in the U.S. Reisinger, whose practice is in Pittsburgh, has represented numerous baseball players in both criminal and MLB disciplinary matters, including Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Andy Pettitte and Aroldis Chapman. Franco will also have counsel in the Dominican Republic.

Major League Baseball’s response

Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz replaces Wander Franco, second from left, on the front of Tropicana Field.
Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz replaces Wander Franco, second from left, on the front of Tropicana Field. [ CHLOE TROFATTER | Times ]

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Within 24 hours of the first social media post, MLB officials announced they would investigate the allegations. The Rays quickly placed Franco on the restricted list and he did not accompany the team on a six-game West Coast road trip that started Aug. 14.

Franco and the Rays had agreed on a seven-day stay on the restricted list. When that deadline passed, MLB and the Players Association announced on Aug. 22 that Franco would be put on administrative leave indefinitely. Like his time on the restricted list, Franco will continue to be paid on administrative leave as the league’s investigation continues.

The Rays have pulled a popular TV commercial that included a Franco barehanded catch from earlier this season, and the team’s broadcast partner appears to have edited out a similar clip of Franco from a separate ad. Franco billboards and other signage around Tropicana Field have also been replaced.

News from the Dominican Republic

Hall of Famer David Ortiz said on a Dominican radio station that he has reached out to Franco to offer help navigating through this situation, although it is not clear whether the two have talked yet.

“When I heard about this situation, I tried to make myself available to Wander to see how I could help him because I really wanted to know what was happening with that boy,” Ortiz said on the radio show Grandes en los Deportes, according to an English translation of an ESPN Deportes story. “I spent a long time talking to Wander at the All-Star Game, I really liked him because he is a good boy, like all youth, but the mission of one as a veteran is to guide those boys, not trample on them or mistreat them.”

Possible outcomes

Franco is facing two investigations — a criminal case in the Dominican Republic and MLB’s independent inquiry.

Pirates All-Star pitcher Felipe Vazquez was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13 year old, along with other charges, in a Pittsburgh suburb in 2017 and was sentenced to two to four years in prison. Vazquez, who was 26 at the time of the allegation, claimed he did not know the girl was a minor. Vazquez lost an appeal in superior court in Pennsylvania earlier this year.

It is possible Franco might not be charged criminally in his hometown but could still face MLB sanctions. In the Bauer case, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office announced after a five-month investigation that it would not pursue charges. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, however, suspended Bauer for two years (324 games), although it was later reduced to 194 games by an arbitrator. The Dodgers eventually released Bauer and he is now playing in Japan.

If Franco is cleared by both Dominican authorities and MLB, he presumably would resume his career with the Rays.

The Pirates stopped paying Vazquez’s contract after he was arrested. Because he was never charged, the Dodgers were on the hook for Bauer’s $22.5 million salary in 2023 after his suspension ended and he was released. Franco has at least $174 million remaining on his contract after this season.

Franco’s background

A star in the Dominican from the time he was a boy, Franco was signed by the Rays as a 16 year old in 2017 for $3.825 million. He went on to become MLB’s top prospect for a couple of years before the Rays brought him to the majors in 2021.

Franco finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting as a 20 year old and the Rays signed him to an unprecedented 11-year deal for $182 million later that winter. With team options included, the contract could eventually be worth more than $220 million.

Franco has been among MLB’s top position players in 2023, although there have been some hiccups along the way. Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his Rolls-Royce while on a rehab assignment in Jacksonville in 2022. He had a minor scuffle with teammate Randy Arozarena earlier this season and was later suspended for two games by manager Kevin Cash for emotional outbursts and “not being the best teammate.”

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