Through the years, we have seen many reasons why teams bench their players.
Sometimes they don’t show up for practice, other times they have some problems with the manager, and they are often suspended for conduct considered detrimental to the team.
However, we don’t remember a team benching a star for this particular reason: a poor handling of emotions.
“The Rays have left Wander Franco out of the lineup tonight because he needs to handle his frustrations better, per @TBTimes_Rays,” Talkin’ Baseball tweeted with information from Tampa Bay Rays insider Marc Topkin.
The Rays have left Wander Franco out of the lineup tonight because he needs to handle his frustrations better, per @TBTimes_Rays pic.twitter.com/3ybafpGm5W
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 22, 2023
Franco was actually suspended for two games, which is why he won’t play before Saturday.
Topkin went into some detail about manager Kevin Cash’s decision to bench him.
He says that Franco has had multiple verbal altercations with teammates, most notably one with Randy Arozarena on May 23.
Topkin also reported a lack of hustle on the bases or after balls hit in the infield, a case that recently took place on Sunday.
He also cited “being overly emotional in reacting to unsuccessful at-bats, such as slamming bats and throwing equipment in front of — and at times endangering — teammates, as he did after making an out Wednesday.”
Cash, per Topkin, said that Franco is a “good kid” who is still learning the challenges of succeeding and failing in the major leagues.
On the field, Franco has been performing admirably.
He is hitting a cool .287/.349/.455 with eight home runs, 24 stolen bases, and 3.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
He has been the Rays’ best player, so he won’t be benched long.
The reasons behind the decision are, at the very least, shocking.
NEXT: The Rays Have History On Their Side After A Hot Start
