NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Rays, Wander Franco close to new long-term $200 million deal ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Wander Franco made it to the majors this past season as a 20-year-old and quickly showed the talent to be a star for...
Wander Franco contract details: Rays sign uber-prospect to massive 11-year deal The Rays have signed their dynamic young talent to the most lucrative contract in team history.
NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Wander Franco agrees to 12-year extension with Rays worth up to $223 million: Source The Rays and 20-year-old shortstop Wander Franco have agreed to the longest contract extension for someone with less than a year of service...
NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Tampa Bay Rays, phenom shortstop Wander Franco agree to massive 11-year, $185 million extension Wander Franco has always been young for his accomplishments and baseball conquests. Add this one to the list: massive contract extension.
NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Agrees to 11-year extension Franco and the Rays agreed to terms Monday on an 11-year contract extension, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Minor details are reportedly still yet to be finalized, but the contract will guarantee the young shortstop at least $182 million and could be worth up to $223 million thanks to escalators plus a $25 million team option for a 12th season. The extension keeps Franco under team control through the 2033 campaign, at which point he'll still be just 32 years old and could be in line for another large contract if his career plays out as many expect. Franco impressed in his 70-game debut last season, hitting .288/.347/.463 while playing solid defense at shortstop, but he has the potential to improve far beyond that already impressive level considering that he's still just 20 years old.
NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Closing in on extension Franco and the Rays are nearing an agreement on an extension which could pay the shortstop approximately $200 million over at least 10 seasons, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times r...
Impact Hector Gomez of Z Deportes reports the deal has already been signed, though Topkin's report indicates the details won't be finalized until after Thanksgiving. Franco is widely considered a generational talent and is on the cusp of being paid like one, with the reported offer roughly doubling the $100 million Ronald Acuna received from the Braves at a similar stage in his career back in April of 2019. Any extension won't meaningfully change Franco's fantasy outlook, as he was always likely to remain a Ray for the next few years with or without a deal. Additionally, while the reported terms would potentially mean Franco remains with the team for at least a decade, the penny-pinching Rays could still wind up trading him once he reaches the more expensive years of the deal, something that could also have happened without an extension.
NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Breaking down Wander extension rumors ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have a history of attempting to sign their best young players to long-term contract extensions early in their car...
NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • MLB.COM
How Rays' Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco became rookie award finalists One is a 26-year-old with a record-breaking postseason on his resume; the other is a 20-year-old who played in only 70 big-league games.
NOVEMBER 14, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM
2021 BBWAA Award Finalists List Announced Monday, Nov. 15 AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year — Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay; Wander Franco, Tampa Bay; Luis Garcia, Houston...
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
Arozarena, Franco both AL ROY finalists Back in Spring Training, it seemed almost unthinkable that Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco could live up to the hype. Arozarena was coming...
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • MLB.COM
MLB Playoffs Top Plays: Red Sox advance, Giants and Braves win on jam-packed Monday
The Red Sox advanced to the ALCS, while the Giants and Braves took 2-1 leads in their NLDS series. Check out the highlights!OCTOBER 12, 2021
Homers in eighth inning Franco went 2-for-6 with a solo homer and two runs in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS.
Impact Franco sparked a rally in the top of the eighth inning with his first home run of the postseason. The 20-year-old has been effective across his first three playoff appearances, going 6-for-15 with a homer, two doubles, four runs and two RBI.
OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Delivers in playoff debut Franco went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run in Game 1 of the ALDS against Boston on Thursday.
Impact The 20-year-old wasted no time making an impact in his playoff debut, as he clubbed a double during the opening frame to score Randy Arozarena from first base. Franco then came around to score, and he was stranded at second after doubling again during the seventh inning. Franco delivered an .810 OPS in his first 70 big-league games this year and clearly isn't fazed by the postseason spotlight.
OCTOBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
MLB playoffs top plays: Rays blank Red Sox, Astros rout White Sox
Randy Arozarena homered and stole home as the Rays beat the Red Sox. Check out the top plays from Thursday's playoff action!OCTOBER 8, 2021
No spotlight too bright for confident Wander ST. PETERSBURG -- Wander Franco bounced around Tropicana Field on Wednesday afternoon, going from fielding ground balls at shortstop to the...
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • MLB.COM
Plates two in loss Franco went 1-for-5 with a two-run single in a win over the Yankees on Friday.
Impact One night after seeing his on-base streak come to a halt at 43 games, Franco reached safely in his final at-bat, extending the Rays' lead to 4-1 in the top of the ninth with a timely knock. The 20-year-old phenom appears fully prepared to thrive in the postseason spotlight if his body of work over his first 68 big-league games (.284/.346/.465 slash line) is any indication.
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
On-base streak ends Franco went 0-for-4 in a loss to the Astros on Thursday, ending his on-base streak at 43 games.
Impact Franco showed no signs of cooling off in Tuesday's win over Houston, when he went 3-for-5 with a double to match the legendary Frank Robinson for the longest on-base streak by a player 20 years of age and under. The conclusion of Franco's phenomenal run came under bizarre conditions as well, as the rookie actually reached first base three times Thursday on two fielder's choice groundouts and an infield single that was ultimately reversed via instant replay. Despite the disappointment, Franco looks primed to not only play a pivotal role in the Rays' upcoming postseason run, but for many seasons to come as well.
OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays come up short in loss to Astros, Wander Franco's streak ends HOUSTON — Having reached their final two significant goals Wednesday by breaking the franchise record for wins and clinching the top playoff...
OCTOBER 1, 2021 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Better late than never: Franco extends streak HOUSTON -- Even when he’s drawing a walk late on a hitless night, Rays rookie Wander Franco has a flair for the dramatic. After going 0-for-...
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • MLB.COM
Could Wander Franco challenge on-base streak record? Ted Williams set a lofty bar Franco's on-base streak is one of the best ever by batters younger than 20. But where does it compare with the all-time greats?
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Knocks two extra-base hits Franco went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over Miami.
Impact Franco is up to 41 consecutive games reaching base as the superstar rookie continues to impress. He doubled and scored in the first inning before ripping a triple and scoring again in the fifth. He improved his season slash line to .287/.350/.476 with 29 extra-base hits through 280 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Normal usage starting Sunday Franco is available off the bench Saturday and should see normal usage over the rest of the season, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.
Impact He only got into one rehab game on his way back from a hamstring injury, so the Rays wanted to give him a breather Saturday. Manager Kevin Cash said Franco will start Sunday, and with an off day Monday, he shouldn't need any scheduled days off next week.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sitting Saturday Franco is not in Saturday's lineup against the Marlins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact He returned from the injured list Friday after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. Joey Wendle will start at shortstop and bat fifth.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Extends on-base streak Franco went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk in Friday's 8-0 victory over Miami.
Impact Making his first appearance since Sep. 10, Franco extended his on-base streak to 40 games after a sixth-inning walk. He then knocked a double in the eighth. The star rookie is hitting .323 during his on-base streak and now owns an .812 OPS on the year.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays rookie INF Wander Franco returns from hamstring injury
Tampa Bay Rays rookie Wander Franco has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing two weeks with a right hamstring injurySEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
