Angels Star's Trade Market Heating Up Ahead Of Offseason
Per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the Angels are expected to continue trade discussions on both Neto and pitcher Reid Detmers this winter.
"It's also possible the Angels could trade Neto and/or Reid Detmers to get some hitting prospects," Fletcher wrote, noting the two sides had already talked before the deadline and those conversations are expected to pick back up.
A Star Making His Case At The Worst Possible Time For Los Angeles
Neto was named American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 24, hitting .500 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, and nine RBI over that stretch.
For the season, he's hitting .237 with 22 home runs and 18 stolen bases, putting him on pace for a third straight 20/20 campaign, and he isn't set to reach free agency until 2029.
ZACH NETO TIES THE GAME pic.twitter.com/M9CAQewhd3
— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) August 30, 2026
CBS Sports' Mike Axisa believes the interest will only grow from here. "The Angels did nice work in a seller's market at the deadline, and they figure to clean up if they move these two over the winter," Axisa wrote.
Where He Could Land
Atlanta has emerged as one of the more specific fits.
Per FanSided, the Braves could build a package around right-hander JR Ritchie and center fielder Eric Hartman, Atlanta's top-ranked prospect and baseball's No. 22 overall per Baseball America, giving the Angels immediate rotation help in Ritchie while adding controllable young talent behind him.
Boston has also come up repeatedly as a winter target.
The Red Sox added several pieces at the deadline, including star catcher Adley Rutschman, but never solved their long-term need at shortstop. Axisa specifically listed Boston among his early landing spots for Neto, arguing the fit makes sense given how thin the middle-infield market tends to run.
Detroit has also been mentioned as a fit given a similar need at the position, rounding out a group of contenders that figure to check in as the offseason gets underway.
For now, Angels ownership has reportedly showed a willingness to listen on Neto, and interim GM John Mozeliak faces a decision this winter on whether the return finally clears the bar to move on from one of the organization's most talented young players.
