MLB, MLBPA make decision on immediate future of Wander Franco

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached an agreement to place Rays shortstop Wander Franco on administrative leave through at least June 1, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The shortstop spent the final six weeks of the 2023 season on administrative leave after allegations of a sexual relationship with a minor surfaced and began being investigated by law enforcement in Franco’s native Dominican Republic. Since the initial allegations surfaced, a second formal complaint against Franco was also levied.

Placing a player on administrative leave is standard protocol in MLB when a player is being investigated under the league’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. It is not considered punitive in nature, and the leave is paid — though any accrued payments can be rescinded depending on the outcome of both criminal proceedings and potential discipline (i.e. suspension) following the league’s own investigation of the matter in question.

Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic initially brought charges of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering against Franco, with the laundering charges stemming from alleged payments that Franco made to the purported victim’s mother. Those charges were eventually lessened to an extent, with the latest reporting out of the Dominican Republic indicating that Franco is facing charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. He’s been released on bond but as of early January was still being ordered to report to court on a monthly basis.

While on administrative leave, Franco will not count against Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster. Major League Baseball’s own investigation into the matter presumably will not be conducted/completed until the criminal proceedings against Franco have played out. If that hasn’t happened by June 1, the league and the union can agree to extend the leave until some form of resolution has been reached.

The Rays signed Franco to an 11-year, $182M contract covering the 2022-32 seasons in November of 2021. It’s not clear at this time whether Franco will ever return to Major League Baseball. If Franco ultimately faces criminal charges or a lengthy ban resulting from MLB’s own investigation, he would not collect his salary for time missed (including retroactive forfeiture of any payments made while on administrative leave).