Rays’ Wander Franco has preliminary trial postponed

The preliminary hearing on charges against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been postponed. Franco has been charged with sexual abuse, exploitation of a minor and human trafficking. The 23-year-old’s trial, originally scheduled for Wednesday, will now take place on Sept. 26, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The defense had asked for a postponement because they did not have all the evidence. The mother of the minor had also asked for her trial to be postponed. A Dominican newspaper, Listin Diario, also reported that the father of the minor would request that the charges against Franco be dropped. They also reported that the lawyer for the father of the minor would request that the case be dropped.

Franco has not played in the majors since Aug. 12 of last year. The Rays shortstop was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball after the allegations surfaced on social media. The designation means the Rays will not pay Franco while his legal situation plays out. He has nine years on his contract and more than $170 million outstanding.

The Dominican Republic’s legal system requires a preliminary trial to determine whether the case warrants a trial. If Franco goes to trial and is found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s allegations explained

The main allegation against Wander Franco is that he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21. Franco then allegedly gave the family of the minor money and gifts to get “consent.” He was almost immediately placed on administrative leave, where he remains.

Authorities raided the home of the minor’s mother in the Dominican Republic and found cash, cars and banknotes that were reportedly gifts from Franco. The Associated Press also reports that Franco’s mother wired money to the minor’s mother to keep her son’s name out of the transaction. However, she has not been charged.

Franco will likely never play in the majors again. Given the seriousness of these claims and the lengthy legal battles that lie ahead of him, it’s hard to believe the Rays would welcome him back into the organization. The Rays have already made moves to replace Franco in the lineup and defensively.

On the field, the Rays aren’t the playoff-caliber team they were a few years ago. Franco’s departure led to a sweep by the eventual champion Texas Rangers in the American League Wild Card Series. They brought in Amed Rosario for this season to fill the infield void.

This season has not gone according to plan by any means. The Rays are six games out of the playoffs and are 59-60 entering Wednesday’s action. Jose Caballero has played most of the games at shortstop, especially since Rosario was traded, and has underperformed.

The 27-year-old Caballero is hitting .238 with an 89 OPS+ this season. Franco left the team around this time with a .281 average and a 127 OPS+. The Rays need to get better output out of Caballero, assuming Wander Franco never plays for them again.