Former Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco once looked destined to become one of the faces of Major League Baseball. At just 24 years old, he had already signed a massive long-term contract, earned All-Star recognition, and established himself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.

Now, his baseball future should be over for good. On Monday, a Dominican court found Franco guilty of sexual and psychological abuse involving a minor. Although the court ruled that he would avoid prison time because of findings related to extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, the conviction itself remains in place. That distinction matters.

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Guilty Verdict Cannot Be Ignored

Franco was arrested in January 2024 after authorities accused him of maintaining a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Prosecutors also alleged that money was transferred to the girl’s mother in exchange for consent regarding the relationship.

While the court later determined Franco had also been victimized through extortion and blackmail, it did not erase the central ruling of the case.

He was still found guilty. Avoiding prison time does not change the seriousness of the conviction or the nature of the allegations that led to it. For Major League Baseball, that should be enough to make a permanent decision.

MLB Must Protect Its Image

Professional sports leagues constantly talk about protecting the integrity of the game and holding players accountable for conduct off the field.

This is one of those moments where MLB has to prove it truly means that. Franco is not just another player. He was marketed as one of baseball’s future superstars. He signed an 11-year, $182 million extension with Tampa Bay in 2021 and was viewed as a foundational player for the sport moving forward.

That is exactly why the league cannot afford to treat this lightly. Allowing Franco to eventually return would send a terrible message to fans, sponsors, and players across the league.

Baseball Has Already Moved On

Franco has not played in Major League Baseball since allegations first surfaced in 2023. MLB placed him on administrative leave before later moving him to the restricted list. At this point, a comeback should not even be part of the conversation.

The legal process has now produced a guilty verdict, even if it did not result in incarceration. Baseball does not need to wait for additional developments to understand the seriousness of the situation. Wander Franco was once one of baseball’s brightest stars. Now, MLB should make sure his career remains over permanently.

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