MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 Landing Spots For Angels' Zach Neto
Will the Los Angeles Angels sell this year? Finally? With John Mozeliak at the helm in the front office, replacing the deposed Perry Minasian, perhaps the Halos will finally agree to do some selling at the trade deadline. They have been loath to do so in recent years, much to their detriment. The most famous example would be getting absolutely nothing for arguably the greatest player in baseball history, Shohei Ohtani.
Shortstop Zach Neto is no Shohei, but he is a former first-round pick and a No. 2 prospect in the organization. He is now one of the top slugging shortstops in baseball, with 19 long balls, on pace to blow away his career high of 26 set last season. He brings power, speed and a bit of defense, and teams should be clamoring to land him if he does become available.
"The Angels are at the very least listening, which is more than they've done at past deadlines, and 25-year-old Neto is an awfully intriguing option," write Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.
Jon Heyman even reveals that word has come down from the owner's booth to put Neto on the market.
Jon Heyman on Zach Neto:
— SleeperAngels (@SleeperAngels) July 23, 2026
“Word has allegedly come down from above to shop Neto, a power-hitting shortstop.”
WOW 😳😳😳
(@JonHeyman) pic.twitter.com/sZIYCgDBXx
Let's have a look at three teams, as proposed by Passan and McDaniel, who would make the most sense for a Neto trade:
Boston Red Sox
The BoSox have streaked right back into the playoff picture in the American League after a recent 15-game winning streak. But their middle infield rotation still leaves quite a bit to be desired. And overall, their lineup is second-last in the majors in home runs. Landing a slugging shortstop like Neto would be a double-barreled addition. The Red Sox are definitely interested.
Atlanta Braves
This remains a team that has been searching for a legitimate answer at shortstop ever since Dansby Swanson left after the 2022 season. They're hurting at the position again this year, sitting 25th in production from short (in OPS) in all of baseball. Neto would fill a huge void in their lineup.
Toronto Blue Jays
No, the Jays are not really chasing a playoff spot any longer for 2026, but the 25-year-old would be a move for their shortstop of the future. Bless Andres Gimenez, his defense is once again elite this season, in the 98th percentile in Outs Above Average, and the 94th percentile overall in Fielding Run Value, per Baseball Savant. But at the plate? A .224 average with a .616 OPS and a 67 OPS+. His second straight year being well over 30% worse than the average major league hitter. Neto would be a huge part of the Blue Jays' infield of the future should they be able to land him.
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