Mariners Rumors: Trade interest in Angels' Zach Neto should be offseason groundwork

It wasn't for lack of trying that the Seattle Mariners didn't make bigger splashes than Taylor Ward and Seranthony Domínguez at the trade deadline. They wanted another relief pitcher, and they apparently even checked in on Zach Neto. And it shouldn't be the last time they do.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mariners were one of the teams that showed interest in the Los Angeles Angels' shortstop before Monday's deadline. Neto ended up going nowhere, and talks between the Mariners and Angels didn't get far.

It's the kind of report that alludes to the Mariners just kind of doing due diligence, but that's not to say it was a bad idea.

Among the explanations for the Mariners' 56-60 record is a general lack of reliability on the offensive side. And even just four seasons into his major league career, reliability is part of Neto's brand. His OPS+ has been at least 10 percent above-average in each of the last three years, and he's on track for a third straight 20-20 season.

Because Neto, who's 25 and under club control through 2029, has struck out an AL-high 160 times, he would have brought more swing-and-miss to a Seattle offense that has too much of it as is. And while it's hardly a badge of dishonor under the circumstances, he also has a .624 OPS for his career at T-Mobile Park.

However, does anyone have a better idea for how to handle the left side of the infield going forward?

Mariners have the goods and the incentive to try again on Zach Neto during the offseason

Colt Emerson is locked in, but J.P. Crawford is set for free agency and this season revealed Brendan Donovan to be a bad third baseman even before the lower half of his body noped out. Michael Arroyo is the most MLB-ready infielder in the farm system, yet he's probably more left fielder than second baseman even if you remove Cole Young from the equation.

Unless the Mariners really want to bring Crawford back, there are no viable solutions among the upcoming crop of free-agent shortstops or third basemen. Trade options for third basemen also look lean, which could make a shortstop trade the only feasible path forward.

This was the idea in checking in on Neto, who would have bumped Colt Emerson back to third base if the Mariners had been able to get him. That obviously didn't happen, just as trades of fellow shortstops CJ Abrams and Otto Lopez didn't happen either. But of the three, it's easiest to trust that Neto's availability will be a thing all over again this winter. The Angels are clearly pivoting under John Mozeliak, whereas the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins have reasons to keep their eyes on near-future contention runs.

In the same section where Neto is mentioned, Rosenthal's report also mentions George Kirby and Emerson Hancock and how trade talks involving them never "advanced past the 50-yard line." It's unclear whether the Mariners were specifically interested in moving either for Neto, but the concept would have been sound enough. And it would be again this winter, especially if it's Kirby being dangled.

As with anything relating to the 2027 season, there's a big "if" in the form of what's looking like a more and more likely lockout. But the question either way is how the Mariners can approach next year as a contender, and going back and circling Neto's name all over again should be part of the plan.

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