The Los Angeles Angels made one of the clearest statements of their long-term intentions at the trade deadline, choosing to fully embrace a rebuilding approach and parting ways with several established major league players. Rather than make another short-term push, Los Angeles opted to prioritize the future, turning valuable veterans into assets that could help reshape the roster over the coming seasons.
Despite moving several notable pieces, however, the Angels made an equally important decision by holding onto one of the most promising young players on their roster: shortstop Zach Neto.
That decision continued to look increasingly justified.
Neto added another impressive accomplishment to his growing résumé during the Angels’ matchup with the Baltimore Orioles, launching a three-run home run in the third inning to reach the 20-homer mark for the season. The blast was particularly significant because it came after Neto had not homered since July 5 and immediately followed his move into the cleanup spot in the Angels’ lineup.
More importantly, the home run placed Neto in a special category within Angels history.
According to MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger, Neto became the first shortstop in Angels history to record three consecutive seasons with at least 20 home runs and 20 doubles. It is another major milestone for a player who has quickly established himself as one of the most productive offensive shortstops the organization has ever had.
Neto’s combination of power and athleticism has made him an especially valuable piece for an Angels team that is now attempting to construct a completely different future.
The 20th home run of the season was also another reminder of why the Angels resisted the temptation to move Neto at the trade deadline. With teams around baseball reportedly interested in young, controllable talent, Los Angeles could have potentially commanded a significant return for a shortstop of Neto’s caliber. Instead, the organization appears committed to keeping him as a central part of its next competitive roster.
There is another major reason why Neto remains so valuable: his contract control.
Neto is not expected to reach free agency until 2030, giving the Angels several more seasons to build around him before they have to worry about losing him on the open market. That level of control would have made him an extremely attractive trade target, but Los Angeles appears to believe that his greatest value may come from what he can contribute to the organization over the long term.
Through 112 games this season, Neto is hitting .231 with 20 home runs, 59 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. While his batting average has fluctuated, his ability to provide power from the shortstop position and contribute on the bases has continued to make him an important part of the Angels’ lineup.
His overall production since arriving in the majors has been even more impressive.
Across four seasons with the Angels, Neto has now accumulated 78 home runs, 223 RBIs and 75 stolen bases while establishing himself as one of the franchise’s most dynamic young players. His latest milestone only adds to a growing list of accomplishments that suggest he could remain a fixture in Anaheim for years to come.
For the Angels, that long-term stability is particularly important because the franchise is entering unfamiliar territory.
Los Angeles has not reached the postseason since 2014, and years of disappointing results have forced the organization to reconsider how it builds its roster. The trade deadline represented a significant turning point, with the Angels choosing to move several major league pieces rather than continue trying to patch together a roster that had failed to consistently contend.
Still, the rebuild does not mean every established player is automatically available.
The Angels clearly view Neto differently. Along with superstar Mike Trout, Neto remains one of the recognizable pieces the organization has elected to keep as it attempts to build a stronger foundation for the future. The hope is that younger players can develop around those core pieces and eventually give Los Angeles the depth and talent necessary to return to postseason contention.
Neto’s emergence could ultimately prove to be one of the most important developments of that rebuilding process.
At only 25 years old, he already has four years of major league experience and has demonstrated that he can provide legitimate power, speed and offensive production at one of baseball’s most demanding positions. Now, by becoming the first Angels shortstop to put together three straight 20-homer, 20-double seasons, he has added another piece of franchise history to his résumé.
The Angels may have sold off several pieces at the deadline, but their decision to keep Neto sends a clear message about how they view his place in the organization’s future.
If Los Angeles can surround him with enough young talent and make the right additions over the next few seasons, Neto could eventually become one of the faces of the Angels’ next competitive era. For a franchise searching for a new direction after more than a decade away from the playoffs, keeping a young shortstop with his combination of power, speed and team control could be one of the most important decisions the organization has made.