The Dominican baseball player and shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, Wander Francohas been placed on administrative leave until June 1, as part of what was ultimately an agreement between Major League Baseball and the Players Association, this as a result of the investigation that is currently underway into an alleged relationship. that the player had with a minor in his native Dominican Republic.
Administrative leave does not constitute a disciplinary measure in accordance with Major League Baseball policies. against domestic violence, sexual assault and also child abuse, which allows the player to continue receiving his salary without any problem.
How is Franco’s case going to the MLB?
In the case of the Dominican shortstop, whose salary this year amounts to 2 million dollars, has remained in his native country, the Dominican Republic, and has been seen training and staying in shape while awaiting the results of the investigation and therefore did not appear at the Rays’ spring training. heading into the 2024 season.
The Rays will begin the 2024 regular season this Thursday when they must face the Toronto Blue Jays, forcing the MLB and the players’ association to make a decision about Wander Franco’s current status on the team.
The Dominican has not seen action in the Major Leagues since August 12; He was included in the restriction list for a week on August 14, while Major League Baseball began an investigation, following publications made through social networks suggesting that Franco had maintained a romantic relationship with a woman. minor, publications that the Associated Press has not been able to confirm so far.
On August 22, the Dominican player was placed on administrative leave. and remained under that condition until the end of the season. When the time of the offseason comes, what would be the administrative license does not apply.
Major League Baseball could wait for the investigation that remains on Wander Franco in the Dominican Republic comes to an end, before reaching a final decision on possible disciplinary sanctions for the short stop.
Possible prison time
He was initially accused of commercial and sexual exploitation, as well as money laundering, crimes that could land him up to 30, 10 and 20 years behind bars respectively. Franco faces accusations of sexual and psychological abuse, according to a court ruling obtained by The Associated Press in January.
However, Franco has not been formally charged so far.but if he were found guilty of the new charges, he could face a sentence ranging from 2 to 5 years in prison.
I was having a positive season
Wander Franco, 23 years old, was in his third professional season as a Major League player and it was interrupted by this whole case. Until the moment he ended his season with the Tampa Bay Rays, he had a batting average of .281 points, had hit 17 home runs, had 58 RBIs, 30 stolen bases in 40 attempts and had participated in a total of 112 games.
In November 2021, Franco reached an agreement to sign a contract of 182 million dollars for 11 years.
Last year the Dominican baseball player earned an additional $706,761 to his salary as part of Major League Baseball’s pre-arbitration bonus fund, a fund agreed to by the league and the players’ association as part of his 2022 labor contract.
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