The Boston Red Sox have once again emerged as a team to watch ahead of the MLB trade deadline, with renewed interest in Los Angeles Angels shortstop. According to respected insiders Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, Boston’s front office has maintained a level of interest in Neto dating back to the previous offseason. While discussions between the two organizations occurred during the winter, those talks never advanced into meaningful negotiations or formal trade frameworks. (MLB Trade Rumors)
At that time, there was little to suggest that Neto was truly obtainable. The Angels were not actively shopping him, and there was no strong indication they were willing to entertain offers for one of their young cornerstone players.
However, the situation may be evolving as the current season progresses toward the trade deadline. With the Angels struggling and reportedly preparing for a potential sell-off, the possibility of them at least listening on key players—including Neto—has become more realistic.
Interim general manager John Mozeliak recently hinted at a shift in philosophy, acknowledging that the Angels could “possibly” entertain offers for controllable players if the return is compelling enough. That statement alone signals a subtle but meaningful change.
Teams rarely move young, cost-controlled players unless they are motivated to reshape their roster or rebuild organizational depth. For the Angels, both motivations appear relevant given their current position.
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Multiple reports from outlets such as ESPN and the New York Post have reinforced the idea that the Angels are more open-minded than in previous years.
Players like Neto, left-hander Reid Detmers, and right-hander José Soriano are now at least being discussed in league circles as potential trade candidates. While this does not guarantee that any of them will actually be moved, it does indicate that rival teams—including Boston—are being given more opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations.
For the Red Sox, their interest in Neto is hardly surprising. In fact, it would be more shocking if they were not exploring the possibility. Neto is exactly the type of player that fits Boston’s current needs: a young, productive shortstop with multiple years of team control remaining. Players like that rarely become available, and when they do, they tend to draw widespread attention across the league.
What makes this situation particularly fascinating is how quickly Boston’s outlook has shifted. Just a few weeks ago, the Red Sox were hovering near mediocrity in the standings, much closer to the Angels than to a playoff position. At that point, there was even speculation that Boston might become sellers themselves, with veterans such as Aroldis Chapman and Sonny Gray viewed as potential trade chips.
Then everything changed.
A remarkable 15-game winning streak completely altered the trajectory of Boston’s season. That surge propelled them into the playoff picture, where they now hold one of the American League Wild Card spots. (MLB.com) The team is still chasing the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, but their position in the standings has transformed them from tentative sellers into potential buyers—and possibly aggressive ones at that.
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With postseason aspirations suddenly within reach, the Red Sox front office is now focused on identifying weaknesses and upgrading the roster. The most glaring issue lies in the middle infield, which has been decimated by injuries and underperformance.
Shortstop Trevor Story has been sidelined for an extended period after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia. Although he is expected to return later in the season, his performance prior to the injury was underwhelming, hovering around replacement level. At the same time, top prospect Marcelo Mayer has also been out due to a stress reaction in his left leg. Like Story, Mayer struggled to make a significant impact before landing on the injured list.
The injuries don’t stop there. Utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who had arguably been Boston’s most reliable middle infielder earlier in the year, has been unavailable since mid-June with his own stress-related injury. As a result, the Red Sox have been forced to patch together their infield with a combination of lesser options.
Currently, Boston has been deploying a shortstop platoon featuring Tsung-Che Cheng and Andruw Monasterio, while Anthony Seigler and Romy Gonzalez have handled duties at second base. While these players have provided temporary coverage, the overall production from this group has been among the weakest in baseball—particularly for a team with playoff ambitions.
This is where Neto enters the picture as a clear upgrade.
The 25-year-old shortstop has quietly established himself as one of the more productive players at his position over the past few seasons. Offensively, he has been consistently above average, including a solid performance this year with a slash line hovering around .238/.326/.446. His approach at the plate is not without flaws—he has a tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone—but the overall results have been strong.
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Neto’s power production stands out in particular. He has already hit 19 home runs this season and is on pace to surpass his previous career high. Over the last three years, he has compiled one of the better home run totals among shortstops, placing him in elite company alongside names like Bobby Witt Jr., Francisco Lindor, and Gunnar Henderson. That level of offensive output is extremely valuable at a premium defensive position.
Additionally, Neto brings speed to the table, making him a legitimate 20-20 threat. The combination of power and speed is rare for a shortstop, and it adds another dimension to his value. Even if his defensive metrics have been somewhat inconsistent, his overall production makes him an appealing target for teams looking to upgrade their lineup.
From a stylistic standpoint, Neto could be an excellent fit at Fenway Park. As a right-handed hitter who excels at pulling the ball in the air, his approach aligns well with the dimensions of Boston’s home stadium—particularly the Green Monster in left field. This type of offensive profile has been something the Red Sox front office, led by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, has actively sought to acquire.
If Boston were to successfully trade for Neto, it would likely trigger a reshuffling of their infield alignment. Story could move off shortstop and shift to second base, where his defensive skills might play better at this stage of his career. Given the decline in his defensive metrics over the past year and a half, such a transition could benefit both the player and the team.
Meanwhile, Mayer’s role would become less certain. As a highly regarded prospect, he still has value, but his stock has dipped due to injuries and inconsistent performance. He could be sent back to Triple-A Worcester to continue developing, or he could become part of a trade package to acquire Neto. While Mayer might not headline a deal at this point, he could still serve as a significant secondary piece.
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The Angels, for their part, have their own roster considerations. Beyond the possibility of moving pitchers like Detmers or Soriano, they are reportedly in need of young catching talent. Their current options behind the plate have not provided much impact, and their farm system lacks depth at the position.
This could create an opportunity for Boston to structure a deal that addresses both teams’ needs. For example, the Red Sox could include a catching prospect such as Franklin Primera, who has been rapidly rising through their minor league system. While not necessarily the centerpiece of a trade, he could serve as an attractive secondary asset for the Angels.
Of course, not every prospect will be available. Boston’s top prospect, Franklin Arias, is widely considered untouchable in trade discussions. Ranked among the very best prospects in baseball, Arias has been dominant at the Double-A level and is quickly climbing toward the majors. His performance has been so impressive that he could make his debut before the end of the season.
Interestingly, the presence of Arias might actually make a Neto trade more feasible. Because Arias is capable of playing either middle infield position, acquiring Neto would not necessarily block his path to the majors. Instead, the two players could coexist, with one potentially shifting positions depending on team needs.
From a financial standpoint, Neto is also an attractive asset. He is currently earning a modest salary and remains under team control for several more seasons through arbitration. This cost-controlled status significantly increases his trade value, as it provides long-term stability without the financial commitment associated with free agency.
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That said, this same factor also makes him difficult to acquire. The Angels have little incentive to move a young, productive player unless they receive a substantial return. Compared to pitchers like Detmers or Soriano—who have fewer years of control—Neto is likely to command a much higher price.
If he does become available, Boston will not be alone in pursuing him. Several other teams in contention could enter the mix, including clubs like the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Minnesota Twins. Each of these teams has both the motivation and the resources to make a competitive offer.
Ultimately, whether a deal materializes will depend on a variety of factors: the Angels’ willingness to commit to a deeper rebuild, the Red Sox’s appetite for parting with top prospects, and the level of competition from other interested teams.
What is clear, however, is that Neto represents one of the most intriguing potential trade targets on the market. For Boston, acquiring him could solidify a glaring weakness and significantly boost their playoff chances. For the Angels, moving him could accelerate a much-needed organizational reset.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how these discussions evolve—and whether the Red Sox can turn their long-standing interest into a blockbuster deal.
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