Tampa Bay targets the budding Angels star to bolster their infield as the AL East leaders pivot into aggressive buyers ahead of a high-stakes trade deadline.
At this point, it is almost certain that the Los Angeles Angels will make a series of trades before the deadline on August 3.
The only question becomes which players get moved and which ones stay in Anaheim. MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand mentioned three players he thinks will get moved, with Brent Suter, Kirby Yates and Jorge Soler making the list.
Others include controllable players such as pitcher Jose Soriano and young infielder Zach Neto. Outfielder Mike Trout almost certainly isn't going anywhere due to his no-trade clause, although anything can happen.
Speaking of Neto, he has already received interest from the Boston Red Sox, and now another American League East team is expressing interest in him: The Tampa Bay Rays, according to Fansided's Robert Murray.
"The Tampa Bay Rays are exploring a multitude of options to upgrade the major-league roster and have expressed interest in Los Angeles Angels infielder Zach Neto and New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta in addition to Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, according to major-league sources," Murray wrote.
Neto is only 25 years old and is having a strong season, so the Angels have a high asking price since he can easily be a part of their future going forward.
The Rays, however, are trying to make a push since they are in first place in the AL East and have a lead over the New York Yankees.
Richie Palacios has been starting primarily at second base, but he is hitting just .232 with four home runs and 30 RBIs this season.
The Rays also have Ben Williamson, who is hitting .249 with 2 home runs, so there is no doubt Neto would be a massive upgrade at the position now and for the next few seasons.
ESPN's Jeff Passan mentioned on Tuesday that Neto could be the best player traded at this deadline, and if that's the case, the price would be high for the Angels to get rid of the 25-year-old infielder.
The Rays aren't used to be buyers at the deadline, but this season, they have legitimate World Series hopes given the way things have gone through the first part of the season.
On the other hand, Neto isn't only a player for this season, but somebody the Rays could use for the future as well, so this is a pairing that makes a lot of sense if the two sides can work things out.
