Wander Franco is an iconic player within the Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse, holding down an elite position while providing cost certainty through his 10-year contract. However, his future with the team remains unclear following Dominican authorities searching his home on Tuesday.
Listin Diario, a Dominican Republic-based online newspaper, reported on Tuesday that personnel from Santo Domingo’s Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents raided two homes belonging to Franco and his mother in Bani on Tuesday afternoon; these raids began shortly before 2:00PM and lasted several hours; police vehicles could be seen driving into each property during this timeframe.
The newspaper quotes sources close to the investigation as saying Franco’s alleged relationship with an underage girl prompted searches of both his home and mother’s residence in Bani. A car and phone search also took place; details are unclear. A prosecutor from Dominica province of Peravia named Angel Dario Tejeda Fabal confirmed this was happening and stated it will be conducted by a special division that deals with cases related to minors and gender violence.
Sources familiar with the investigation told The AP that investigators are probing allegations that Franco had inappropriate contact with a juvenile and that he may face criminal charges as a result. In Dominican Republic, sexual activity between people aged 18 or over and minors can be prosecuted; according to one source who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about this case; The AP has reached out to MLB for comment.
Franco has been an invaluable player for the Rays this season, hitting.281 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs over 112 games. On Sunday against Cleveland at Tropicana Field he left early during the fifth inning before not joining them on Monday’s six-game road trip against San Francisco Giants. They placed Franco on their restricted list allowing him to continue receiving pay while not playing during an investigation by league and local prosecutors.
As for Franco, it may be tempting for the Rays to hang onto him in hopes that all charges against him can be cleared and his career can resume, though this won’t be easy depending on the scope and tenacity of his case – both players and unions may fight hard against any charges brought against them; although this seems implausible at first, many players have returned after long drug suspensions, DUI hit-and-run cases or vehicular manslaughter allegations; should this happen for him, top prospect Osleivis Basabe could fill his position should he depart – should Franco leave Rays it would likely replace him quickly – while Osleivis Basabe would provide an excellent replacement prospect if ever needed – one player to look forward to replacing Franco;
