Tampa Bay Rays' Standout Now Faces Lesser Charge in the Dominican Republic

The legal situation involving Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop Wander Franco took another turn on Tuesday afternoon.

The legal situation surrounding Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop Wander Franco took another turn on Tuesday afternoon.

Per the Associated Press:

Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.

Originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering — charges that carry up to 30 years, 10 years and 20 years of prison respectively — Franco now stands accused instead of sexual and psychological abuse, according to a judge’s resolution that The Associated Press obtained on Tuesday.

Franco has not been formally accused, but if found guilty on the new charge, he could face between two to five years in prison.

The whole situation is very fluid, but earlier on Tuesday, we got reporting that said that Franco could have a hard time even getting into the United States because of these charges. Even these lesser chargers could make it difficult for him to return, and his 2024 availability is up in the air completely. Furthermore, Major League Baseball hasn't done their investigation yet, which will also impact his availability this upcoming season and beyond.

Tampa Bay invested the biggest contract in franchise history in Franco, giving him an 11-year deal in 2021. If he's unable to play for all or part of the 2024 season, the team's chances of competing in the loaded American League East certainly goes down.

The 22-year-old made his debut in 2021 and owns a lifetime .282 average over three seasons. He made the All-Star team in 2023 and hit .281 for the Rays, who won 99 games. He also had 17 homers, 58 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

His contract was for $182 million but is also now completely up in the air depending on his situation, per Rosenthal's reporting:

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