With the trade deadline fast approaching and the winning streak putting the Boston Red Sox back in a playoff spot, it’s safe to assume they will likely be buyers. That’s a funny thought, considering just a few weeks ago even the Red Sox were admitting they were going to be sellers. How fast things can change.
They have been freqently linked to shortstop Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels, even back in the offseason. We've created a realistic trade package for the young star, including some top prospects and a current big leaguer.
To figure out the best trade package for Neto, you have to break down his contract and skills. Neto is a 25-year-old right-handed-hitting shortstop under team control through the 2029 season — that alone ups his value. As does the fact that he’s had 20/20 seasons in each of the past two years (23 homers and 30 steals in 2024, 26 homers and 26 steals in 2025).
However, he hasn't performed as well in 2026. Neto is slashing .238/.326/.446. He does already have 21 doubles, two triples, and 19 home runs, which will certainly play, but he also has 141 strikeouts. That’s just eight off his career-high. It’s also the second-worst in the league behind the 154 of Kyle Schwarber (who is offsetting it a bit better with 33 home runs).
Creating a trade package for Zach Neto
Neto is also not a great defender, with a eight outs below average. He does have a 2 Defensive Runs Saved, but a -4 Fielding Run Value. For the most part, it’s hard to label him anything but average in the field.
All that being said, Neto is a young shortstop who has hit for power and has great speed. He would absolutely inject some juice into the Red Sox lineup. So what should they offer?
Let’s start with Mikey Romero in Triple-A. The infielder is blocked from the big leagues; it’s that simple. He’s a very intriguing bat, and I’m a huge fan. The left-handed hitter has shown that his swing can produce some serious home run power in the summer. However, the Red Sox have way too many people in front of him, and now Franklin Arias is in Worcester. If they’re adding Neto, that’s just another name in front of Romero.
Sticking with that theme, Marcelo Mayer could head to Anaheim. I still very much believe in the talent of Mayer, even if the team appears to have issues with him, but Neto is young and under team control for a few years. Arias is on the rise as one of the best prospects in all of baseball and now just a few miles from Fenway Park. Caleb Durbin is looking like the long-term answer at third base. Where does Mayer fit into the equation if they get Neto?
Throw in a pitcher like Blake Wehunt who could go to the majors soon and be a legitimate backend starter. There isn’t much else to say there, just a nice throw-in who could end up being a solid rotation add.
Finally, Enddy Azocar rounds out the package. He’s not a top-100 prospect yet, but teams aren’t actually looking at prospect rankings. They have their own evaluations of these prospects. Azocar is a five-tool prospect, and I believe someone that teams would absolutely love. The Red Sox also don’t need more outfielders. They already have too many in the mix with multiple fantastic prospects coming up.
Azocar is one of their best, which is why the Angels would target him. He has 15 home runs, 53 RBI, and 11 steals between Single-A and High-A this season while being one of the best defensive outfielders in the system at just 19. There’s a legitimate chance he’d be the second-best prospect in the Angels’ system immediately.
It’s a lot, honestly. But Neto is under contract for three more seasons following the 2026 campaign, and he’s a legitimate 30/30 threat. The Angels will have a lot of callers on him if they make him loudly available. The Red Sox should be smart with their prospects and spend them on players that would help the team in the best possible ways.
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