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As the Los Angeles Angels confront a critical juncture, first baseman Nolan Schanuel has joined shortstop Zach Neto in offseason trade discussions, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. While both players are currently viewed as fixtures in the Angels' infield, Bollinger suggests that their status could shift if the organization opts for a rebuild.
The Angels are reeling from a disastrous 2026 campaign in which they dropped 100 games, and the franchise is undergoing significant upheaval. Owner Arte Moreno has agreed to sell the team to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment for a reported $4 billion, and the club is not expected to name a new general manager or manager until the sale is approved. Interim GM John Mozeliak will leave when his contract expires in December.
Neto has been a frequent name in trade rumors for months. The Boston Red Sox reportedly showed strong interest in the 25-year-old shortstop before the trade deadline, and MLB Network's Jon Morosi recently argued that the Angels should test the market. "This is the time to gauge interest in Zach Neto and Reid Detmers," Morosi said on MLB Network's Hot Stove. "It's not about winning a World Series in 2027."
Neto's appeal is clear: in 2026, he slugged 27 home runs and drove in 77 runs over 157 games, and he remains under team control for three more years. Schanuel, 24, is coming off a solid season in which he batted .276 with seven home runs, 49 RBIs, and a .736 OPS in 107 games. The former first-round pick has been a steady presence at first base since debuting just weeks after being drafted in 2023.
Key Analysis
Any major roster moves will likely be deferred until the ownership change is finalized. However, if the new regime decides to tear things down, Neto and Schanuel could become two of the most intriguing names on the trade market. Their futures will depend heavily on the direction the franchise chooses under its new leadership.
Originally reported by yahoo.