Angels Shortstop Zach Neto May Be Up for Trade

Shortstop Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels could potentially be traded this summer. The Angels are reportedly considering offers for him, especially as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches. The Boston Red Sox have shown renewed interest in Neto, according to sources from The Athletic.

However, his availability isn’t guaranteed. Team owner Arte Moreno and interim general manager John Mozeliak might hesitate to let go of a player who’s under contract for another three years.

Boston had made moves to acquire the 25-year-old last winter but didn’t succeed. With Perry Minassian no longer in the front office, the Red Sox might see a chance to bring in a promising two-way player like Neto.

The Red Sox transformed from sellers to buyers this summer, thanks to an impressive 15-game winning streak that tied a franchise record. They are looking to strengthen their middle infield before the trade deadline.

During their winning stretch, Boston had Andrew Monasterio and Tsunche Chen as shortstops, but neither are regular starters in that position.

Neto’s current stats show he’s batting .238, with 19 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .772 OPS over 395 at-bats. He has also stolen 13 bases this season. Notably, since the beginning of the 2024 season, Neto has tallied 68 home runs and 69 steals.

Though the Red Sox have Trevor Story as their starting shortstop, he hasn’t played since May. Story is expected to begin rehabilitation next month, but his age and injuries raise concerns. Neto, in contrast, might offer a younger and more affordable solution for the team.

The challenge? Moreno tends to retain players, focusing on long-term control rather than trades. The Angels may be reluctant to start a rebuilding phase by parting with Neto, a tendency that aligns with their recent operational choices.