.jpg?w=2560 "Zach Neto")
Ranking Angels' Zach Neto's Top 8 Landing Spots and Trade Packages
On track for an 11th consecutive losing season, the Los Angeles Angels finally seem ready to entertain the idea of rebuilding, and they have several controllable pieces that could fetch a significant prospect return if they decide to tear things down.
Shortstop Zach Neto is the headliner of that group, with back-to-back 5-WAR seasons on his resume and three years of club control remaining after the 2026 season.
The 25-year-old is on track for his third straight 20/20 season this year, carrying a 116 OPS+ with 21 doubles, 19 home runs, 13 steals and 2.7 WAR through 103 games.
He has been a solid defensive shortstop during his four seasons in the majors, but could also conceivably fit at second base or third base, so his market is not limited to just shortstop-needy clubs.
Ahead we've ranked his eight most likely landing spots leading up to the 2026 trade deadline, and provided a trade proposal to give an idea of what it might cost to acquire a player with his combination of well-rounded value, premium position and remaining club control.
Note: Prospect ranks reflect Bleacher Report's most recent Top 100 list update, which published immediately following the 2026 draft.
8. Tampa Bay Rays
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The Trade Package: SS Carson Williams, C Nathan Flewelling (No. 66 on B/R Top 100), RHP Brody Hopkins (No. 83 on B/R Top 100), RHP Anderson Brito
The Fit: The uneven development of Carson Williams has left glove-first Taylor Walls as the primary shortstop for the Rays once again this season. Meanwhile, the lineup has leaned heavily on the trio of Junior Caminero, Yandy DĆaz and Jonathan Aranda to shoulder the offensive load.
Neto would give the Rays another legitimate offensive threat and the franchise shortstop they have lacked in recent years, while also allowing Walls to shift into a utility role where he has thrived in the past.
The Major Hurdle: Simply put, this is not the type of move the Rays have made over the course of their franchise history. They rely on prospect talent as the low-cost lifeblood of the organization. Is the AL East lead and a wide open American League in general enough to buck that trend?
7. Texas Rangers
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The Trade Package: RHP Kumar Rocker, RHP Caden Scarborough (No. 80 on B/R Top 100), C Malcolm Moore, OF Dylan Dreiling, LHP Dalton Pence
The Fit: With Corey Seager and Josh Jung both on the injured list, the Rangers have deployed a starting infield of Jake Burger, Nicky Lopez, Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith recently.
That group is sorely lacking in offensive punch, and even when they are back at full strength, they could still use one more quality bat on the dirt. It's unlikely Neto would push Seager off shortstop, but he could slot at second base as his double play partner.
The Major Hurdle: If the Rangers are not willing to include a young, controllable MLB piece like Kumar Rocker, they don't have the prospect firepower to get a deal done without including uber-prospect Sebastian Walcott. If that's a non-starter, they will have a tough time putting together a competitive offer, especially with a division rival.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
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The Trade Package: OF Edward Florentino (No. 27 on B/R Top 100), SS Wyatt Sanford (No. 81 on B/R Top 100), 3B Murf Gray, RHP Antwone Kelly
The Fit: Chasing their first playoff berth since 2015, the Pirates are expected to be aggressive at this year's trade deadline, and they have a hole to fill at shortstop with up-and-comer Konnor Griffin sidelined with a torn tendon in his left ring finger.
Shifting either Griffin or Neto to third base would give the Pirates a dynamic left side of the infield to anchor their offense, plugging a hole in the short term while also upgrading the long-term outlook.
The Major Hurdle: Is this what the Pirates meant by aggressive? Or did they mean a couple rental players to improve on the margins? Outfielder Edward Florentino is one of the fastest-rising prospects in baseball, and the front office could be hesitant to include him, in which case their chances of pulling off a blockbuster drop significantly.
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5. Milwaukee Brewers
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The Trade Package: IF Luis PeƱa (No. 18 on B/R Top 100), IF/OF Jett Williams, OF Braylon Payne, C Jeferson Quero
The Fit: While rookie Cooper Pratt has settled in nicely at shortstop and Brice Turang is one of the best second basemen in the game, third base remains a question mark for the Brewers.
The position has produced a .660 OPS on the year, which ranks 20th in the majors, and Joey Ortiz has become the primary option after getting pushed off shortstop. Neto would be a massive upgrade, even learning to play the hot corner on the fly, and his $4.15 million salary this year doesn't break the bank for a cost-conscious franchise.
The Major Hurdle: Even with an infield logjam, the Brewers will be hesitant to give up Luis PeƱa, and generally speaking this is not an organization that is on the buying end of many blockbuster trades. On the flip side, they are arguably the second-best team in baseball right now behind the Dodgers, so if ever there was a time it's now.
4. New York Yankees
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The Trade Package: SS George Lombard Jr. (No. 14 on B/R Top 100), OF Spencer Jones, LHP Henry Lalane, SS Kaeden Kent
The Fit: The regression of Anthony Volpe and lackluster production of Ryan McMahon has given the Yankees one of the least productive left sides of the infield in baseball this season.
Speedy JosƩ Caballero and versatile veteran Amed Rosario have seen more playing time than expected as a result, and Neto would be a significant upgrade wherever the Yankees decided to play him.
The Major Hurdle: Is George Lombard Jr. untouchable? If the Yankees are not willing to include him as the centerpiece in a blockbuster deal, their system is lacking a viable alternative to headline a trade package. Carlos Lagrange and Dax Kilby are solid prospects, but they don't move the needle enough, and a quantity over quality offer is unlikely to get things done.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
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The Trade Package: OF Zyhir Hope (No. 38 on B/R Top 100), RHP Christian Zazueta, OF James Tibbs III, LHP Adam Serwinowski
The Fit: The Dodgers are never shy about pouncing on an opportunity to improve the roster, and they didn't hesitate to acquire Trea Turner when they had Corey Seager at shortstop, simply slotting Turner at second base for the playoff push.
While Tommy Edman is back healthy and serving as the primary second baseman now, his versatility opens the door for a similar talent grab and defensive reshuffling.
The Major Hurdle: Never say never when it comes to the Dodgers upgrading their roster, but if they are going to make a deadline splash, the more likely target will be Tarik Skubal or another frontline starter to help hedge their bets on Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow being healthy in October.
2. Atlanta Braves
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The Trade Package: RHP JR Ritchie, OF Eric Hartman (No. 31 on B/R Top 100), RHP Owen Murphy, OF Diego Tornes, IF Jim Jarvis
The Fit: Aside from the first half of the 2023 season when Orlando Arcia was a surprise All-Star before regressing, the Braves have not had a legitimate everyday shortstop since Dansby Swanson left town.
Ha-Seong Kim has battled injuries and gone 5-for-73 when he has managed to take the field, while Jorge Mateo, Mauricio DubĆ³n and Jim Jarvis have also manned the position. It's not hard to see why Neto could be a transformative pickup for their playoff push.
The Major Hurdle: Shortstop has not been a strength, but the Braves have managed to patch things together. The bigger need might be another frontline starting pitcher to anchor the playoff rotation alongside Chris Sale, and they only have so many bullets to spend from a thin farm system.
1. Boston Red Sox
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The Trade Package: SS Franklin Arias (No. 4 on B/R Top 100), RHP Sadbiel Delzine, IF Yoeilin Cespedes
The Fit: Veteran Trevor Story has been sidelined since the end of May after undergoing sports hernia surgery, and he had a 56 OPS+ in 176 plate appearances prior to the injury.
The Red Sox have been one of the hottest teams in baseball, vaulting from potential sellers to clear buyers, and there is no more pressing need than upgrading an infield that has Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio as its current double play combination.
The Major Hurdle: Even if the Red Sox decide to make Franklin Arias untouchable, which is a very real possibility, they could conceivably build a package around Anthony Eyanson or Justin Gonzales to get a deal done. The question then becomes whether a team that is still only four games above .500 is willing to go all-in on the 2026 season.
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