Part 4/8:
While this public sparring raised fears of a falling-out, the consensus remained that both sides were better off collaborating. Yet, for Alonzo, this return comes with a sense of bittersweet realization; he had originally envisioned a longer-term contract that reflected his stature in the game. Nevertheless, the two-year deal, at an annual average of $30 million, places him in a top-tier salary bracket among first basemen, thereby validating his value to the organization.