Pedro Martinez Calls for Redemption as Wander Franco Awaits MLB's Decision

When Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez was asked whether he thought Wander Franco would ever play Major League Baseball again, he didn’t offer false certainty. Instead, he offered something more thoughtful: hope wrapped in accountability.

Franco, 25, was found criminally responsible for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl but avoided prison after a judge determined he’d been targeted by extortion and blackmail from the minor’s mother. It’s a messy situation with no clean resolution—and one that’s now in baseball’s hands. MLB hasn’t yet announced whether it will suspend the All-Star shortstop, a decision that could effectively end his career.

At the Sports Emmys, Martinez told TMZ Sports what he truly believes:“I don’t really know if he would. I’m hoping that he can actually reestablish himself, not only spiritually, but mentally. As humans, we all deserve an opportunity to redo ourselves.”The Red Sox legend’s words carry weight because they’re honest about the uncertainty while refusing to dismiss Franco as irredeemable.

Before this case consumed his life, Franco was untouchable—a generational talent who played three seasons with the Rays, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, and earned an All-Star nod in 2023, his final season in uniform. He represented everything baseball wanted to celebrate: young, brilliant, limitless potential.

But Martinez went deeper than just hoping Franco returns to the field. He emphasized the harder work: understanding what he did, reckoning with it privately, and rebuilding trust in society. Whether Franco ever plays again, Martinez suggested, matters less than whether he becomes someone different.“Just to reestablish himself in society, and understand that wasn’t right and he needs to do it in a better way for the future and serve as an example for others”—that’s the real test.

The question now isn’t just whether MLB will let Franco play. It’s whether he can actually change, and whether America’s pastime is willing to watch him try.