Topps Pauses Fulfilling Wander Franco Redemptions Amid Investigation

Wander Franco is currently under investigation for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor.

Collectors waiting on Wander Franco redemption cards won’t be getting them anytime soon.

In a notice to impacted customers, Topps recently announced that it would be pausing the fulfillment of all Franco redemption cards amid a sexual abuse investigation.

While customers are allowed to wait for Franco cards, Topps has offered substitutions or store credit for Topps.com. Replacements will be valued between 200% and 400% of the card’s current market value.

Topps declined to comment when reached Monday morning.

The Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop was arrested earlier this year after accusations of an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl.

Franco was placed on administrative leave earlier in the investigation by Major League Baseball last August and missed the rest of the regular season and Tampa’s playoff appearance. The Rays lost to the Rangers, 2-0, in the Wildcard round.

Considered one of the best prospects in baseball, Franco immediately became a hobby favorite in 2021 while finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. He later signed an 11-year, $185 million extension to become the highest paid player in Rays history.

While injuries limited Franco in 2022, he was named to his first All-Star team in 2023 as a replacement for Aaron Judge.

Franco had batted .281 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 112 games before he was placed on leave.