The Angels’ 2026 deadline picture is getting more complicated by the day, and the latest chatter points in a direction that might surprise some fans. Zach Neto has drawn plenty of attention, but rival executives apparently see Los Angeles as more likely to move its controllable arms, Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, than the shortstop.
Katie Woo, Ken Rosenthal, and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that “Some rival executives believe the Angels are more likely to trade one or both of Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, each of whom comes with two additional years of control, than Neto, who can remain with the club for the next three years,” Woo, Sammon and Rosenthal report.
That’s a notable shift in the conversation, especially with Neto trade rumors already building. The Angels have already completed one trade, and more moves could still be coming as the summer unfolds. Mike Trout is staying put, but beyond that, just about everything else feels open to discussion.
Jo Adell has gotten plenty of attention, but the real center of gravity here is Neto and the two starters. Detmers and Soriano carry the kind of value that tends to play well in a deadline market, and controllable starting pitching is always in demand. That makes them obvious trade chips if the Angels decide to lean into a reset.
Neto, though, is hardly off the table. The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies have both been strongly linked to him recently, and there’s a real chance the 25-year-old shortstop gets dealt. It would take a massive return, but the shortage of quality right-handed bats and the thin shortstop market give Los Angeles a legitimate reason to listen.
The bigger question is whether the Angels stop at one move or finally commit to a broader sell-off. If they’re serious about a rebuild, moving all three would make more sense than continuing with the half-in, half-out approach they’ve used in recent seasons.
For now, the most interesting part of the reporting is simple: despite all the noise around Neto, some executives around the league think Detmers and Soriano are the more likely names to go. That’s the kind of deadline wrinkle that can change the whole market.
In Other News...
Angels Selloff Just Took A Turn Fans Were Dreading
The Angels place in the standings has already made this a selloff summer, and the first move offered a clear signal of where things are headed. As Milwaukee opens a three-game series in Anaheim, the contrast is hard to miss: the Brewers are trying to fortify a division lead, while the Angels are working through one of the roughest stretches in baseball and looking more like a team preparing for the future than chasing the present.
The roster churn has only added to that feeling. Veteran catcher Travis dArnaud is back after a long stint on the injured list, but the bigger question is how far the Angels are willing to go before the deadline. Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano and Zach Neto are drawing attention around the league, and with rival clubs expected to be active, this is the kind of week that can reshape the rest of the season in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Angels Suddenly Have A Deadline Trade Chip Contenders Want
With the trade deadline closing in, the Phillies are still sorting through ways to upgrade, and one name that has surfaced in their search is a familiar one to Angels fans. Jo Adell has drawn reported interest from Philadelphia, a reminder that Los Angeles may have a movable piece on its hands if the right market develops.
The broader picture is just as interesting, because the Phillies have also been tied to Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho, with scouts on hand during a recent Blue Jays series as they continue to evaluate options. Varshos family connections to Philadelphia only add another layer to the fit, and it leaves the Angels watching a deadline market that could suddenly turn their outfielder into a legitimate chip. [Read more 🡒]