Rays' Wander Franco charged with sexual abuse

 

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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has reportedly been charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor.

Franco was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 22 as Major League Baseball investigated his alleged relationships with underage girls.

The allegations were made public earlier that month following social media posts, but the first complaint was filed in July. 

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The Tampa Bay Rays have begun removing images of Franco from Tropicana Field following the allegations against him. Additionally, there is no sign of Franco's merchandise being sold at the Rays' team store in the ballpark. 

It is now increasingly likely that Franco, who last played a Major League game on August 12, will never play again due to the charges against him.

Franco had an outstanding season last year, earning his first All-Star selection. He batted .281 with a .344 on-base percentage, .475 slugging percentage, 17 home runs, and plate_number_1 RBIs in 112 games. 

In November 2021, he signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension, but there is a team option in 2033 that could increase the deal's worth to $233 million. However, the Rays could void the contract if Franco is convicted and imprisoned, citing a "good citizenship" clause in the uniform player contract.

After Dominican police raided two homes associated with Franco just before the new year, he was eventually arrested. He was later released under the condition that he meet with local authorities once a month. 

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According to ESPN, Dominican prosecutors say that Franco called the minor "my girl" in a WhatsApp message, admitting that the relationship was a "risk," but he "loved it."

"My girl," Franco allegedly wrote in Spanish. "If my team realizes this, it could cause problems for me. It is a rule for all teams that we cannot talk to minors, and yet I took the risk and I loved it."

Prosecutors say Franco's relationship with the girl, now 15, lasted four months, and he paid her to not speak about it. The girl's mother also faces charges of money laundering based on gifts sent to her by Franco. Franco and the girl met on Dec. 9, 2022, after he "took her from her home," had sex twice in a two-day span and began their relationship.

Franco gave the girl the equivalent of $46,000 in July and August, the documents say, and paid the mother about $1,700 per month, along with a new car.

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