The Boston Red Sox have renewed their interest in acquiring Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto before the August 3 trade deadline, according to reports.
The Red Sox had previously pursued Neto, 25, in the offseason but were unsuccessful. Their pursuit comes as Boston has transformed from a potential seller to a buyer at the deadline, fueled by a recent 15-game winning streak that tied a franchise record.
Boston's front office, led by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, is looking to address its middle infield. During their recent win streak, the team utilized Andruw Monasterio and Tsung-Che Cheng at shortstop, neither of whom are considered everyday players.
Neto, who is under team control for three more years, is batting .238 with 19 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .772 OPS over 395 at-bats this season. He also has 13 stolen bases. Since the start of the 2024 season, he has recorded 68 home runs and 69 stolen bases.
While the Red Sox have Trevor Story at shortstop, he has been sidelined since May and is expected to begin a rehab assignment next month. Neto represents a younger, potentially more cost-effective option for Boston.
However, Neto's availability is uncertain. Angels owner Arte Moreno has a history of retaining players with multiple years of team control rather than trading them. The Angels organization may be hesitant to initiate a rebuild by trading Neto, aligning with their past operational strategies.
Perry Minasian was recently relieved of his duties as general manager at the end of June, and the change in the front office could potentially influence the Angels' decision-making regarding Neto.