The Boston Red Sox's addition of Caleb Durbin filled the team's pressing need in the infield, as Alex Cora can now trot out a group consisting of Willson Contreras, Durbin, Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer from first to third base.
However, Durbin wasn't the only player the Red Sox were interested in trading for. They reportedly made repeated overtures for shortstop Zach Neto, though they were rebuffed by the Los Angeles Angels at every turn.
Neto has proven to be one of the most valuable middle infielders in baseball over the past two seasons, contributing 6.6 fWAR and a 115 wRC+ to the Angels' cause. He would have cost significantly more than the meager package the Red Sox gave up for Durbin (and Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler, and a draft pick), but it's telling that the organization was willing to make multiple attempts at acquiring a shortstop.
The 25-year-old shortstop is arbitration eligible for the first time in 2026 (he settled for $4.15 million), meaning he's still got four years of team control remaining as a Super Two player. That's a few years less of control than Durbin has (six), but Neto is a far more impactful player at the plate.
Red Sox's Zach Neto interest doesn't offer resounding vote of confidence for Trevor Story
The Red Sox took several tries at acquiring shortstop Zach Neto but the Angels had set a very high bar for him, per @Sean_McAdam.
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 9, 2026
That’s the type of deal that would’ve created some serious buzz… wonder if they would’ve moved him off of shortstop. pic.twitter.com/0xB0t9ESXN
Where Neto isn't quite as solid is on defense, which is a problem for a team that made it a point this offseason to get better on the infield dirt. The Angels' star has earned +24 Defensive Runs Saved over the past two seasons, but Outs Above Average grades him at -14 over the same span.
The Red Sox have entrusted Story with the shortstop position, so much to the point that they've moved both Mayer and Mikey Romero off the position over the past 12 months. Mayer, of course, figures to be the starting third baseman come Opening Day, while Romero figures to start in Triple-A while serving as potential insurance in case Durbin falters while transitioning over to the keystone.
Story, who wasn't positively reviewed by either DRS or OAA last year, was once one of the slickest-fielding middle infielders in the sport. Now, as age and injuries have sapped his range, it's intriguing to note that the front office didn't limit their trade search to exclusively second and third baseman.
With so many capable shortstops on the roster (including Mayer and Durbin), the Neto rumors don't necessarily suggest that the Red Sox are ready to move on from Story quite yet. But they are looking ahead, which could lead to another roster turnover next offseason if the current group doesn't work out.