The Los Angeles Angels have been in flux for roughly ten-straight years, and this season in particular. The organization has an interim general manager, they are in the middle of an ownership change, they terminated the entire MLB pitching department midseason, they seemingly have a lame duck manager, it's been a climb to win 60 games, and they traded several players at the trade deadline who were supposed to be part of the long-term nucleus.
Continuity on the roster past Mike Trout feels more important than ever. However, the Angels are playing possum when it comes to contract negotiations with the face of the franchise.
Zach Neto's future must be addressed during the offseason
The Angels need to make a grand statement regarding Zach Neto's future. The Angels shortstop continually pops up on lists of players who could be traded before the beginning of next season. Neto leads the Angels in hits (142), doubles (29), triples (5), home runs (26), runs scored (96), RBI (74) and stolen bases (21) this season. Neto has career-highs in hits, runs scored, triples, walks (58). Neto can set a career-high in home runs with one more, and a career-high in RBI with four more.
The Angels have an opportunity to make Neto an all-time Angels great -- he already has 84 career home runs, 25th-most in Angels history. Neto has 200 career extra base hits, 26th-most in Angels history. The 25-year-old Neto has 60 extra base hits this season -- Neto is one of nine Angels players ever to have 60+ XBH in a season where they are 25-years-old or younger. Neto joins Angels legends Mike Trout, Troy Glaus, Mark Trumbo, Darin Erstad, Jim Edmonds, Tim Salmon, Devon White and Wally Joyner on that list.
Obviously, the Angels' division is an abomination and is up for grabs in the near-future. The Astros and Rangers are currently vying for the lead of the American League West. The Mariners are perhaps the biggest disaster of the 2026 season. The Athletics play in a minor-league ballpark and their core players all have serious concerns when it comes to their durability. A Zach Neto extension could show the Angels and their fans that they mean business when it comes to taking control of the division and breaking their postseason drought.
