TAMPA, Fla. — He is 24 years old and has lost most everything he once held dear in his life.

The paychecks, at one time scheduled to potentially accumulate in excess of $200 million, are no longer deposited in his bank account. The career, which he spent the greater part of his youth creating, is on perpetual hold. The lifelong dreams, seemingly outlandish and yet well within his abilities, now seem like a cruel tease.

The only thing not taken from him in the wake of a conviction six months ago for sexual abuse was his freedom.

And now Wander Franco seems poised to roll the dice on that, too.

Word came down from a Dominican Republic court of appeals that a new trial had been ordered in the case of Franco’s relationship with a then-14-year-old girl. While the decision could be viewed as a victory of sorts for Franco, it carries with it an enormous risk.

Even though Franco was found guilty of sexually abusing a minor, a two-year suspended sentence meant he walked out of the courtroom a free man. Considering prosecutors were originally seeking a five-year sentence — and still are — a second trial has the potential of sending him to prison for a lengthy stay.

When you add to the equation that the girl’s mother was originally sentenced to 10 years for sexual exploitation of a minor, you could argue that Franco was handed a gift with that suspended sentence back in June.

Does that mean he is pushing his luck with a new trial?

The answer, of course, is complicated. Considering he had been groomed to be a major-league ballplayer from the time he was a toddler — even taken out of public school in the sixth grade so he could concentrate on baseball — Franco’s entire identity is wrapped up in the idea of a lengthy career in a dugout. Not to mention, if he is somehow allowed to resume his MLB career, his contract with the Rays still has $164 million remaining on it.

So, yes, even if it’s a gamble, you can at least understand why a new trial might be considered great news for Franco.

Elsewhere, however, this decision is not likely to be met with open arms.

For the Rays? While the franchise seemingly lost a cornerstone player with Franco’s conviction, the Rays at least had some certainty moving forward. Because Franco was unlikely to get a visa to return to the U.S. after a conviction for a sex crime, the Rays could essentially wipe that contract obligation off the books.

Except now there’s a possibility he could be exonerated in a second trial. And while that wouldn’t automatically mean the Rays would instantly be on the hook for his contract, it certainly would complicate matters.

For MLB? Baseball officials have been mostly mum on the Franco mess, but they have acknowledged he was under investigation per the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Since he was unable to return stateside, the league’s investigation seemed to fade into the background.

Now, like the Rays, MLB officials need to rethink what happens if a second trial goes Franco’s way. Even if he were found not guilty, he would almost certainly be a candidate for suspension, considering the league’s discipline policies have a different standard than a courtroom. But, since he has already missed more than 360 games and will likely miss more during a 2026 trial, Franco’s management could argue, in light of a not-guilty verdict, that he had faced enough punishment.

The Rays have not spoken publicly about Franco in some time, but the appeals court ruling puts them in an ethical, economic and competitive quandary. If he is cleared of charges in a second trial, would a work visa still be obtainable? If so, do the Rays welcome him back considering the tawdry nature of the story? Do they seek to have the contract voided, which is practically unprecedented in Major League Baseball? Would any other team be willing to take on his contract in a trade? Does the size of that contractual obligation keep the Rays from trying to sign Junior Caminero to a long-term deal?

Even if new ownership decides the slate is clean and Franco is allowed to rejoin the team, will two-plus years away from the field have an effect on his skills?

And what about Rays fans?

Do you recall his childlike exuberance, and hope he gets a second chance at life? Or did you hear enough evidence during the first trial to write him off forever? Is it a baseball decision? Is it a moral dilemma?

We had seemingly come to grips with the idea of Wander Franco as a sad, pathetic cautionary tale.

Now, like it or not, it might turn out to be something altogether different.

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