The Dodgers still have a lot to sort out before the trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. PT on Aug. 3, and the biggest question is whether they go hunting for a true splash or stay in the lane of smaller upgrades.
That uncertainty is exactly why Jeff Passan’s latest idea stands out. On his podcast, Sources Tell Jeff Passan, the ESPN insider said Los Angeles could be part of the chase for Angels shortstop Zach Neto, a name that has not previously been tied to the Dodgers.
"I think by the end of this deadline, Zach Neto might be the best player traded, and all the big markets could be in on this: the Yankees, the Dodgers, the Red Sox, even the Phillies," Passan said. "Neto's under control through the 2030 season, and that is a lot of control for a guy who has been nothing but productive. The Angels are going to want to hit a home run on this, and considering the paucity of bats on the market, I think they very well could."
If the Dodgers really did get involved, the fit would be the first thing everyone would ask about. Tommy Edman is at second base, Mookie Betts is at shortstop, and it would come as a major surprise to see Betts moved off that spot right now. That would likely push Edman into the outfield, especially if Los Angeles also moved either Alex Call or Teoscar Hernández, as has been rumored.
For the Dodgers, the appeal may be less about clean roster fit and more about the chance to land a young player with years of control. Neto is 25, and he has been one of the Angels’ most productive players over the last few seasons. He is hitting .232 with 19 home runs, 46 RBIs and an OPS of .757 this year, and he has homered at least 23 times in each of the last two seasons.
There is also the question of where he ultimately belongs defensively. Neto is described as a below-average shortstop, which opens the door for him to play somewhere else if a team acquires him. Offensively, though, he brings the kind of upside that plays near the top of a lineup, with home run power and stolen base ability.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman also left the door open for something unexpected as the deadline nears.
"That said, there have been a number of moves we have made closer to the deadline [in past years] that weren’t necessarily on our radar 10 days, two weeks out - just from opportunities that pop up," Friedman said.
So while a Neto deal would fit the definition of a surprise, it also remains a long shot. Still, with the Dodgers’ resources and the market thinning out, it is the kind of idea that can’t be dismissed outright.
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The Brewers arrive in Anaheim with first place in the National League Central and the Angels sitting near the bottom of the standings, a matchup that only sharpens the focus on what comes next for a club that has already started to reshape its roster. Los Angeles has been operating like a seller for weeks, and the recent move involving Logan O'Hoppe and Chase Silseth only reinforced the sense that the front office is willing to keep listening as the deadline approaches.
Travis d'Arnaud's return from the 60-day injured list adds another wrinkle to the picture, but it does not change the broader direction of the roster. Around the league, the Angels still have names drawing attention, with Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano and Zach Neto among the players most likely to come up in conversations before the deadline, which is exactly why this series against Milwaukee may feel like more than just another midweek set. [Read more 🡒]
Angels Trade Talks Hint Another Familiar Bat Could Be On The Way Out
With the trade deadline drawing closer, the Angels have found themselves back in the middle of one of those conversations that can reshape a roster in a hurry. The Yankees are looking for right-handed help for an offense thinned by injuries, and Los Angeles has at least two bats that fit the profile, which is enough to put the Angels on the phone and keep the speculation moving.
For the Angels, the question is less about whether interest exists and more about how far they are willing to go if the market keeps warming up. A move like this would not just be about adding value elsewhere, it would also signal another familiar name on the roster could be headed out as the deadline pressure starts to build. [Read more 🡒]