Wander Franco did not play in the Tampa Bay Rays’ season-opener, but that did not stop multiple fans from wearing his jersey. They chose to support the disgraced superstar despite disturbing allegations.
It was a very bold move!
One fan even held a sign that read ‘FREE WANDER FRANCO’ in the crowd…
Franco, 23, was supposed to be the future. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021 as one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in Major League Baseball. He mostly lived up to the hype by hitting .282 with 30 home runs, 130 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in three seasons. Last year was his best.
And then the world came crumbling down around him as a result of his own alleged actions.
Franco faces up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering charges. Prosecutors accuse him of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl at the age of 21.
My girl, 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.
— Wander Franco allegedly said in a message on WhatsApp
A criminal investigation taking place in his home country of the Dominican Republic is ongoing. He has yet to be formally charged.
As a result of the situation, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached an agreement on how to handle Franco moving forward. The Rays placed him on paid administrative leave through June 1 prior to Opening Day. His status is allowed to change if there are any further developments in the case but he is not currently with the team.
Prosecutors were given six months to present their case against Franco during a coercive measures hearing in January. Hence the June 1 date.
If no further resolution comes to exist by June 1, the MLB, MLBPA and Tampa Bay could either:
- Extend Franco’s administrative leave, where he would still get paid.
- Place him on the restricted list, where he would not get paid.
- Reach an alternate agreement.
In the meantime, Franco will not be near the organization. And yet, despite all of this, multiple fans wore his No. 5 jersey to Opening Day at Tropicana Field.
They clearly did not care about the optics.
This is the baseball equivalent to a fan that wears an Aaron Hernandez jersey to a New England Patriots game. The lack of awareness is astonishing.
If you don’t want to buy a new jersey, fine! Just don’t wear the Wander Franco one… at least not right now…