Wander Franco Won’t Be Called Up Anytime Soon
4 years agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Wander Franco will not be getting called up anytime soon, and could be several weeks or months away from joining the Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin adds that the fact that Franco is just 20 years old, had not played in 19 months due to the cancelled minor league season, and is playing above Single-A for the first time in his career are all factors in the decision making process. Over 11 games at Triple-A this season, Franco is slashing .348/.404/.652 with three home runs, one steal, 10 RBI and runs scored. When he does eventually get called up, he should be a near instant impact player in fantasy.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Wander Franco Now Facing Weapons Charges
4 months agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will now face charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm after he was arrested in the Dominican Republic countryside during an armed altercation on Sunday, according to public prosecutors. Franco had been held for questioning by police but is expected to be granted his release on Tuesday. A Glock with its magazines and 15 rounds of ammunition but no registration papers were found in Franco's Mercedes-Benz at the time of the altercation. There were no injuries, and the involved parties won't be pressing charges. The use and possession of illegal firearms carries a maximum sentence of three to five years. Franco is currently on indefinite administrative leave from MLB and will stand trial in the DR on Dec. 12 in a separate case involving charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor. He's unlikely to play baseball in the big leagues again.
Source: espn.com - Juan Recio
Source: espn.com - Juan Recio
Wander Franco Arrested On Monday After Altercation
4 months agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who remains on the team's restricted list, was arrested on Monday in the Dominican Republic. This time, the arrest was related to an incident that happened on Sunday in which an altercation occurred and "guns were drawn." Franco is currently out on bail based on a deal related to his other charges connected to his relationship with a minor. According to the story, the 23-year-old is permitted to carry a gun so long as he has a license for it and it is registered, but it is not currently known whether or not the one in Sunday's incident was either licensed or registered. Franco is still awaiting trial in the other case and has not played in the majors since August of 2023.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Case Against Wander Franco Will Go To Trial
6 months agoA judge in the Dominican Republic ruled on Thursday that the evidence presented against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco merits a trial, according to multiple reports. Franco is charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges stem from the 23-year-old's relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December of 2022, when Franco was 21. If he is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. No date for the trial has been set for Franco, who obviously has been on the restricted list all year and hasn't played since August of 2023. Judge Pascual Valenzuela "repeatedly pointed out to him that the decision is not an opinion of guilt," but that the evidence is considered worthy of the case moving to the trial stage. The Rays still owe Franco $172 million from the 11-year, $182 million deal he signed after his debut season in 2021.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Wander Franco Has Administrative Leave Extended
10 months agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has had his stay on administrative leave extended to July 14. Franco's original had an end date of June 1. Franco has been on leave since last August with allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The extension allows more time for any developments in his case, while he will continue to receive $2 million in salary from the Rays. Authorities have until July 5 to formally charge Franco and there should be plenty of development until then with the case. Franco was one of the young stars on the rise in the big-leagues in 2023, but his off the field allegations have likely ended his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com