Overview
- On June 21 Devers visibly waved off a pinch runner in the ninth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Marlins and then stormed into the dugout, a clip that spread widely and provoked broad reaction.
- Devers told reporters the gesture was a ‘misunderstanding’ tied to a hamstring concern, apologized to manager Tony Vitello after speaking on the team flight, and started the next game.
- Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey defended the player and said he planned to meet Devers, but Posey’s initial comments before speaking to Devers drew public criticism from ESPN’s Buster Olney.
- Former players and national commentators publicly condemned Devers’ behavior as selfish and unprofessional, intensifying questions about clubhouse culture and managerial authority.
- Devers is hitting well below his Boston-era norms this season and carries a roughly $313 million, 10-year deal, which fuels trade speculation and puts the front office’s roster choices under pressure ahead of the August deadline.