Angels could be powerless to act on growing Zach Neto trade interest

This offseason, more than ever, it's important for teams to strike early. What is usually a slow burn has a ticking time clock, with the December 1 lockout looming, and a feeding frenzy is expected to take place before then. The Los Angeles Angels, unfortunately, are woefully unprepared.

The Angels have just begun their general manager search with the MLB General Manager Meetings, a tentpole event with even more importance this year, already underway. There are many questions facing the franchise that probably won't be answered until a new lead executive is in place, the most important of which is whether or not the team builds around Reid Detmers and Zach Neto, or trades them away. According to interim GM John Mozeliak, the interest in Neto in particular is starting to heat up.

“I think really time will tell what ends up happening there [with Neto], but ultimately we’re just trying to understand what people, how they value,” Mozeliak said, adding that there were many teams interested in the star shortstop at the trade deadline, and even more who have inquired about him now.

The thing is, time is not on the Angels' side and the lockout is just part of the reason why.

If John Mozeliak doesn't trade Zach Neto now, the Angels might miss their shot to capitalize on his value

Once Los Angeles's general manager search is complete, Mozeliak will fade into the background. Before he goes, though, he might need to deal with the Neto situation, though it would be a bold move.

Theoretically, if Mozeliak trades the 25-year-old and the new GM has a differing view on how to proceed, there will be an issue. Furthermore, Mozeliak taking action before a new GM is in place will force his replacement's hand. That's not ideal, and it also rubs up against what is and is not acceptable in the realm of professional ethics.

There would be urgency in a normal offseason, but it's supercharged now with the clock ticking. Aside from that, though, there are some market factors at play that could really force Los Angeles's hand.

There are several other young, high-end shortstops expected to be on the trade block this winter. Elly De La Cruz, CJ Abrams, and Jeremy Peña are rumored trade pieces. The Athletics are reportedly open to trading Jacob Wilson. While not young, Corey Seager is being actively shopped and is the most accomplished player of the group.

Out of all of these players, Neto might have the most value. The Reds don't have to trade De La Cruz now, and his asking price will be astronomical. Some teams will see Abrams defensive issues and think of him as a second baseman. Peña's market will be limited by both the Astros' needs and the fact that no team will trade prospects for a one-year rental with the threat of the lockout impacting the 2027 season.

The A's will only move Wilson for equally talented, young, cost-controlled pitching. Texas would love to move Seager, but he's owed $157.5 million over the next five years, is known to be injury-prone, and has a full no-trade clause.

Neto is good enough that his price will be high, but not so high that teams take him off the board entirely. His three remaining years of team control are the sweet spot for an acquiring team to be motivated to pony up. Unlike Abrams, he can actually handle the position. It's easy to see him being traded for the biggest return package of the group.

But time waits for no man, and other clubs won't wait around for the Angels to figure out their life. With so many other options, it's easy to move on to a Plan B, meaning that if Neto isn't traded before the lockout, there won't be any suitors left once baseball returns to normal.

So, does Mozeliak read the market and decide that he can't have a wasted opportunity on his conscience? Or does he stay put and avoid ruffling feathers until the new regime is in place? Either way, it feels like a lose-lose situation.

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