The Angels kept Zach Neto through the trade deadline, but the shortstop’s name figures to keep circling the rumor mill all winter.
According to FanSided’s Robert Murray, Los Angeles drew plenty of interest in Neto, yet the club never saw an offer that matched its asking price. Murray said the Angels “listened” on him, but “no team met the very high asking price.”
That price was probably steep for good reason. Neto is tracking toward his third straight 20-20 season, even while his defense at shortstop has graded out below average. Still, his age, production and contract control make him one of the most appealing players available if the Angels decide to move him.
Murray pointed to a list of clubs that could make sense if the Angels open the door again this winter, including the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays and others. He also noted that the Red Sox were among the teams linked to Neto at the deadline and could revisit the possibility in the offseason.
At 25 and under team control through 2030, Neto has already piled up 81 homers and 238 RBI in four major league seasons. Murray described him as a franchise shortstop and said he’d “arguably be the best player on the market.”
For the Angels, the timing matters. They are headed toward a 12th straight season without a postseason berth, and unless the front office plans to work out an extension soon, dealing Neto this winter could wind up being the smartest path.
In Other News...
Phillies Just Gave Fans Another Reason To Question September Plans
The Phillies opened September with a familiar kind of roster shuffle, activating catcher Rafael Marchan from the 10-day injured list after his rehab assignment and bringing up right-hander Grant Holman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The move expands Philadelphia to 28 players, a reminder that this time of year is less about one tidy lineup and more about sorting out depth, health, and whatever roles still need filling as the final stretch begins.
Holmans call-up is the more intriguing piece for anyone watching the bullpen and bench picture, since he has not appeared in a major league game this season and arrives with a fresh opportunity to make an impression. The timing also stands out because the Phillies had already dealt outfielder Tommy Pham to the Chicago White Sox before the roster expanded, leaving the club with a little more room to experiment, even if the shape of September is still only starting to come into view. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Add Stretch Run Depth As Two Pressure Points Grow
September roster expansion gave the Phillies a little more breathing room behind the scenes, with catcher Rafael Marchan and reliever Grant Holman both joining the major league club. Marchan was reinstated from the injured list after a rehab assignment, while Holman was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, giving Philadelphia an extra option at two spots that tend to get squeezed once the calendar turns to the seasons final month.
For a team trying to manage the stretch run, the moves matter as much for coverage as for headline value. A third catcher can help keep the battery stable if the workload piles up, and another bullpen arm gives the Phillies a bit more flexibility as they try to navigate the final weeks with fewer shortcuts and less room for error. [Read more 🡒]
Ketel Martes Return Just Raised The Stakes For The Phillies
Ketel Marte was back in the Diamondbacks lineup Tuesday night, and his return gave the Phillies another reminder that Arizona can still change the shape of a series quickly. After completing the minimum stay on the injured list with left knee inflammation, Marte came off as the designated hitter in the opener against Philadelphia, with Ildemaro Vargas holding down second base so Marte could focus strictly on the bat.
For a Phillies club trying to keep control of a meaningful September matchup, the timing mattered. Marte had been out since Aug. 20, but even with the missed time he still arrived with a dangerous line at the plate, hitting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs. His presence back in the middle of Arizonas order raises the level of difficulty for a Philadelphia pitching staff that already knew this series would not come easy. [Read more 🡒]