RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesLos Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto
According to ESPN's Buster Olney , the Boston Red Sox are searching for a shortstop at the trade deadline.
The shortstop market is pretty thin, and it's unclear whether CJ Abrams is actually available, as many rumors suggest. Even if he is, it would take a haul to get him. Willy Adames could be available if the San Francisco Giants are truly interested in dumping some big contracts. Zach Neto seems like he has the best odds to be traded at this point among available shortstops, but even he may be expensive.
Neto is under club control through 2029 and has a .764 OPS this season. He destroys left-handed pitching and could be a great addition for the Red Sox. However, Red Sox insider Alex Speier thinks it may cost the team Franklin Arias to get him.
"The Sox were willing to discuss Arias last year in deals for Twin hurler Joe Ryan or Arizona slugger Ketel Marte," Speier wrote on Monday. "His value has gone up since those conversations, but if the Sox want one of the potential jewels of the trade market such as Angels shortstop Zach Neto, Arias would be a necessary price."
Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!
Neto strikes out a ton, and his average is down from last year. However, he would be an offensive upgrade over the Red Sox's current shortstop situation. The Red Sox's search for a shortstop does indicate that they may be ready to move on from Trevor Story, or have lost confidence in his ability to return this season.
The team has Marcelo Mayer, who could return soon. Mayer and Neto could platoon at shortstop when he's back. Regardless, adding a shortstop would create a logjam for the Red Sox up the middle if and when Mayer and Story are ready.
Arias is the Red Sox's top prospect and is already in Triple-A at 20 years old. He is the No. 7 prospect in baseball, and giving him up could be a huge risk. The Red Sox would be wise to turn down any deals that require them to give him up.
More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Searching For New Shortstop
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.