BOSTON — What seemed like a promising and unified Red Sox clubhouse this season has reportedly been clouded by tension behind closed doors. According to sources close to the team, an “underground war” has erupted between Rafael Devers, widely seen as the “face of the franchise,” and Trevor Story, who has quietly stepped into a vocal leadership role this year.

The alleged rift, described by insiders as a “silent power struggle,” stems from a growing perception within the team that Story’s consistent performance and steady voice in the locker room have started to overshadow Devers’ long-standing status as the team’s cornerstone.

“He’s stepping up, sure,” one anonymous source said of Story. “But some feel like he’s trying to take the steering wheel without being handed the keys.”

Several players are said to have “gravitated toward one or the other,” creating what some staff members have privately referred to as “two camps.” While no physical altercations have been reported, tensions reportedly reached a boiling point after a recent series at Fenway, where cameras caught Devers ignoring Story during a post-game celebration, despite the shortstop’s game-winning hit.

In response, manager Alex Cora has reportedly held a series of private one-on-one meetings with key players in an effort to de-escalate the situation and reinforce team unity.

“It’s April, and we’re trying to win ballgames, not elections,” one player told a reporter on condition of anonymity. “This kind of energy doesn’t help anybody.”

Neither Devers nor Story has publicly addressed the rumors, though both appeared visibly distant during recent team activities. Cora, when asked during a pregame press conference, gave a diplomatic response:

“We’ve got passionate guys in this clubhouse. Sometimes things get emotional. But we handle it like a family — behind closed doors.”

The Red Sox are currently in the playoff hunt, but insiders warn that locker room chemistry could become the team’s Achilles’ heel if the situation continues to fester.

“If they don’t squash this soon,” said a former Red Sox veteran, “it won’t matter how many home runs they hit. Clubhouse division kills seasons.”

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Boston — not just for their play on the field, but for the dynamics that are slowly unraveling off of it.