Part 1/8:

The Rise and Fall of Wander Franco: A Cautionary Tale in Baseball

Wander Franco, once hailed as a phenomenal shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was the pride of the organization after signing a landmark contract worth $182 million over 11 years. The consensus among analysts and fans was that this was a proactive step in securing the future of a young athlete widely regarded for his power, speed, defensive skills, and overall brilliance on the field. The Rays' commitment was emblematic of how baseball franchises are expected to operate: locking up their best talent for the long haul.