But in the locker room, the decision to extend Devers over both Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts, a pair of superstar hitters that Boston let go of, made a little bit less sense. Both guys seemed to have a bit more of a leadership role with Boston’s clubhouse, whereas Devers had largely focused on growing and finding his way in the majors.

Even when he signed his extension last offseason, up until that point, Devers had largely taken a backseat to Betts, Bogaerts, and J.D. Martinez during his time with the team. By extending him, the spotlight was fully on Devers, both when it came to his production on the field, and how he led the team in the locker room.

This isn’t a knock on Devers’ leadership abilities, but we hadn’t really seen him step up for the team in that manner until he fired some shots at the team’s ownership and front office on Tuesday afternoon. In no uncertain terms, Devers made it clear that he knew the team didn’t do enough this offseason, and that while he enjoys the group they have, he knows that the team needs more help.

Devers’ criticisms perfectly outlined the feelings of the entire Boston region when it came to the front office’s bizarre strategy. For whatever reason, ownership is forcing Craig Breslow to operate under a financial threshold, despite the fact the Red Sox have one of the biggest markets in the league. They have the money needed to go out and sign big name free agents, but they haven’t been signing any free agents for that matter, which is why people are so frustrated.