Part 4/8:
Upon returning from Kansas City, reports indicated that the situation was calm, but this spelled trouble. Devers made statements suggesting he felt undervalued and questioned why he was being asked to fill multiple roles. His declarations about wanting to focus on being a hitter rather than an outfielder made headlines and added fuel to the fire.
The friction between him and the front office became more pronounced. The trade became more than just a discussion; it transitioned into an evaluation of what both parties could bring to the table, and when discussions turned public, the pressure mounted.