The Boston Red Sox should be in talks with the Los Angeles Angels to acquire shortstop Zach Neto.
With the Red Sox on a 12-game winning streak as of Sunday, July 19, the tide has quickly turned into what could end up with CBO Craig Breslow moving forward and buying for that right-handed power bat at this year's deadline.
The Angels are now looking to be sellers at this year's deadline, and this year is the perfect time to do so. Sitting in last place in the AL with a 38-61 record, they have a ton of players who are performing like stars that can get them a good prospect haul in return. Starting pitchers Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano, outfielder Jo Adell, and shortstop Zach Neto are the headliners that will most likely be dealt soon.
If anything is a solace, the Red Sox have the prospects to get Neto, who has been a 5+ WAR hitter since 2024. But this year, while hitting 19 home runs, his underlying stats are lower than what it was during those earlier seasons.
He's struck out 135 times, which leads the AL, and the second half started just this past Friday. He has only walked 44 times, which is an improvement, since he walked fewer than 40 times in his last two seasons. However, those strikeouts are only going to go up, and he'll most likely be over 200 strikeouts this season.
Also, his defense has fallen off a bit this year. In 2024, he led the AL in assists (405) and double plays turned (103). But this year, he's leading all shortstops in the AL in errors at shortstop with 14. Focusing on his defense, which was stellar in previous seasons, that's why his WAR this year is significantly lower at 2.4.
With that in mind, his overall value has dipped, which definitely puts the Red Sox at an advantage in terms of prospect haul.
Trading for Zach Neto could be mutually beneficial for Red Sox and Angels
Right now, the Angels are ranked #23 by Baseball America out of all the farm systems in baseball. That number will increase soon with their selection of two-way player, OF/LHP Jared Grindlinger, and others. However, besides them, they have RHP Tyler Bremner, OF Nelson Rada, LHP Johnny Slawinski, C Gabriel Davalilo, and SS Joswa Lugo in their farm system. But besides Rada, those pieces are in High-A or lower.
The Angels need more substance, and if they are to give up Neto, they need a promising prospect to replace him at shortstop. Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer could be in trade talks, so adding him would be ideal. Adding another RHP prospect like Anthony Eyanson will also help matters. If they want another piece, another top 10 prospect wouldn't be the best way to go, but another top 30 prospect can be enough.
TRADE PROPOSAL:
BOS: Zach Neto (SS)
LAA: Marcelo Mayer (SS), Anthony Eyanson (RHP), Another Top 30 Prospect
For many, Neto is a perfect fit besides Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros. Whether or not the Angels commit to selling at the deadline is another story, but for right now, if Breslow is smart, he should be on the phone right now, trying to bolster. With the Red Sox' big winning streak in July, it seems like they're ready for a roster upgrade. They've earned it after this.
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