Tampa Bay Rays' Shortstop Has Bank Accounts Frozen in Dominican Republic as Legal Situation Rages On

The situation keeps getting worse and worse for Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop Wander Franco, who just had his bank accounts frozen in the Dominican Republic.

Per the Tampa Bay Times:

Authorities in the Dominican Republic ordered a temporary freeze on three bank accounts linked to Wander Franco after one of the Rays shortstop’s former lawyers in Santo Domingo filed a lawsuit over unpaid fees.

Juan Francisco Rodríguez Consoró is seeking the equivalent of $256,000 for the seven weeks he says he represented Franco, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, Franco’s lawyer in Puerto Plata, said Thursday.

Little more than a week ago, Rodríguez Consoró informed the Tampa Bay Times via text message that he no longer represented the 22-year-old, without specifying when or why he ceased to do so.

The current legal team for Franco says that Rodriguez Consoro didn't do anything for Franco and shouldn't get that much money. They added that Dominican judges will have the opportunity to rule on the matter.

This is all related to the legal situation that Franco finds himself in regarding his alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor in the Dominican Republic. The superstar was placed on the restricted list last August, missed the team's playoff run, and then was arrested this offseason.

He has not reported to Rays' spring training. The team doesn't seem to expect him back, having acquired Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario this offseason, and some have opined that he may never play baseball in the US again.

He signed an 11-year, $182 million deal in the offseason heading into 2022. If he's unable to play again, that contract could be terminated.