Rays Showing Trade Interest in Zach Neto, Freddy Peralta Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

The Tampa Rays are beginning to snoop around when it comes to adding talent at the MLB trade deadline. 

On Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided reported that the Rays have expressed trade interest in Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta. 

Both players would address a desired need for the Rays as they enter the second half of the season, leading the American League with the best record and looking for a deep postseason push this fall. 

Neto has had a solid season so far on the struggling Angels squad. His .235 batting average and 19 home runs would be seen as an improvement in the batting order for a middle infielder. The 25-year-old is also not afraid to be aggressive on the basepaths, as he has already had 13 stolen bases on the year. 

The Angels' shortstop is currently playing on a one-year deal signed at the beginning of the season with the Angels for $4.1 million to avoid arbitration. He will once again be arbitration-eligible at the end of this season and will not become an unrestricted free agent until the 2030 season. 

As for Peralta, it's a perfect opportunity to take advantage of one of the most struggling teams in baseball when referring to the New York Mets. The team is having one of the worst seasons in recent memory, going 44-62, the sixth-worst record currently in baseball. After being seen as a top-end contender entering the year with their $366 million payroll, the second-highest in MLB, the team is looking to drastically shed salary and enter a rebuilding stage for the upcoming offseason. 

It would be seen as a rental for Peralta as he's entering his final year of a five-year, $15.5 million contract and would likely only cost the Rays a prorated version of his $8 million base salary for 2026. Assuming no long-term contract would be in place for the Rays during the second half of the year, this could be just a pickup for a World Series push. 

It has been reported that Peralta will be seeking a free agent contract similar to New York Yankees' Max Fried, who surpassed $200 million on an eight-year deal this past offseason. 

It could be a bargain deal for the Rays, as Peralta doesn't have the best stats on the season but, of course, shows promise, especially on a competing squad. So far in 2026, he is 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA and has picked up 113 strikeouts across 113 innings pitched. Regardless of the stats, Peralta could be seen as a great depth piece to the Rays' starting rotation. 

Moves like this could be genius pickups by Eric Neander and the Rays' front office, and also not leave the organization in a corner, allowing them to add even more to bolster the roster. It also helps with long-term longevity of success with the organization, with the potential of an MLB lockout looming this upcoming season. 

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