The Angels and franchise shortstop Zach Neto worked out a $4.15MM arbitration settlement in January. That covered the first of four years of arbitration eligibility for the former first-round pick, who reached Super Two status this offseason.
If the sides discussed the possibility of any kind of longer-term deal, those talks apparently didn’t progress. Neto’s agent, Ryan Hamill of CAA, tells Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times that the Angels did not make any official long-term offers over the offseason. It’s unclear if the sides will have any conversations during Spring Training.
The Angels didn’t make any long-term commitments. All their free agent activity was limited to one year, with no individual player making more than $5MM. They also signed an atypically short one-year contract with new manager Kurt Suzuki (reportedly after talks with Albert Pujols about the job fell through).
It was a disappointing offseason for Halos fans who have endured the sport’s longest active playoff drought at 11 years. That was even before owner Arte Moreno’s baffling comments last week, in which he claimed that surveys indicated that “winning is not in (fans’) top five” concerns when attending games. Even if one believed that to be true of the fanbase, it’s a bizarre statement for an owner to make on the record, knowing it’ll get the attention of the players and coaches.
Neto told Shaikin he “really (doesn’t) have an answer to that” when asked if Moreno’s comments would be a concern for him in extension talks. However, he spoke broadly about valuing loyalty and said he’d be amenable to a long-term deal. “If it happens, it happens. I would love to stay here. I would love to be here. But, if it doesn’t, then not every road is meant to be.”
That may all be a moot point. The Angels terminated their local television deal with Main Street Sports this offseason, subtracting an important revenue source. MLB is handling their in-market distribution this year. Neto is coming off consecutive seasons that Baseball Reference valued around five wins above replacement. He’s on track to hit free agency at 29. There’s a decent chance it’d take a $200MM+ offer if the Angels wanted to buy out multiple free agent years.
Neto will be a fixture in the middle of the diamond for the next few seasons in either case. There’s far less certainty around him around the infield dirt. The Halos brought back Yoán Moncada on a one-year, $4MM deal to work as the primary third baseman. Christian Moore is the favorite at second base, where Vaughn Grissom, Denzer Guzman and non-roster invitees Nick Madrigal and Adam Frazier could all be in the mix.
Moore, the eighth overall pick in 2024, played 411 2/3 innings at the keystone as a rookie. He has been a full-time second baseman in pro ball and for the majority of his college career at Tennessee. The Angels gave Moore four innings at third base after subbing Moncada out of Saturday’s game.
Suzuki told reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register) that Moore could get a start at the hot corner while Moncada is playing for Cuba at the World Baseball Classic. They’d ideally expand the second-year infielder’s versatility, which could make it easier to carry a veteran second baseman like Frazier or Madrigal on the bench.
In one bit of injury news, offseason trade pickup Josh Lowe is battling what appears to be minor soreness in his left oblique (via the MLB.com injury tracker). Lowe said he’ll miss a few days but doesn’t anticipate it threatening his availability for Opening Day. The right oblique has given Lowe problems over the past two seasons, so it’s a relief that the current issue on the opposite side.
Moreno is such a colossal embarrassment
He’s correct though. Most people in the fans at a baseball game don’t give much of a sh#t who wins.
@seam. Because it’s cheap entertainment. Dodgers tickets are more expensive so it weeds out the casuals. It’s only correct because arte wants the stands full with a crap team.
Seamaholic: “Most people in the fans at a baseball game don’t give much of a sh#t who wins.”
Do you have any evidence to back this up?
What the fuq are you talking about? That’s complete BS!!
He really squandered the luckiest run in the league with Trout and Sho and has zero responsbility.
Do people actually follow the Angels?
The Angels never had Trout and Ohtani.
In 2018, Ohtani had a fWAR of 2.7, Trout 9.4
In 2019, Ohtani 1.6, Trout 7.6.
In 2020, Ohtani was awful. His WAR was 0
In 2021, Ohtani was godly, Trout played 36 games.
In 2021, Ohtani was great, Trout had less than 500 PAs. That was their best year together.
In 2022 Trout had 362 PAs.
Arte sucks. There isn’t enough room here to list all the reasons why.
No effort at all to extend Neto just adds to the list.
Everything Moreno has done, or hasn’t done, is in anticipation of a strike/lock out this winter. He will step over a dollar to save a nickel.
Exactly.
He doesn’t extend anyone past the arbitration window. Mostly nobody after Trout. I believe even Ohtani was never given an offer past his arbitration years EVER. The final year with the Angels his agent Ohtani wants to work out a deal before the regular season starts. At the end of Spring Training Arty was asked about Ohtani and Arty said we haven’t made any offers yet. Perry said Snell was a #1 priority Snell said he was interested was staying in the OC at the time. Then Arty when asked about Snell, he says we will not be signing him. This year Perry interest in 3 Japanese imports. Remember he put a new manager that speaks Japanese. He says the team WILL upgrade at 3B. The only possible in the possible price range is Okamoto. He had said he preferred the Angels. All three players signed for low amounts. Perry got Rendons contract spread out to get more to spend. This may have a bit to do with Court settlement and TV problems. I believe Perry was told no offer for them. I do think the pitching should be much better though.
Yep. Arte so shortsighted it is insane. Won’t extend players for reasonable money but will spend endlessly and stupidly on free agents.
Weaver and Trout are the only two extensions I can recall.
Actually the Halos have a decent young core if they can continue to progress and stay healthy this season. Hopefully, after the new CBA, the team can start adding veteran pieces to bring about a competitive team. I see this season as developmental—probably 70 wins—and I am prepared for that. And, Perry should trade veterans for fitting pieces at the trade deadline. BUT, after the CBA, anything other than several MAJOR free agent expenditures WILL BE unacceptable.
The fact that you even had the energy to write this is incredible.
Not even being sarcastic. Good for you, a true fan.
Hopefully they don’t disappoint you
@redstitch. I see it as being the same as last year. Close enough to a playoff spot, that they don’t make moves. They need to move kikuchi and Soriano. Soriano is more because his arm is a ticking time bomb. They definitely need to do something out of the rays playbook, and bring in 20-25 players via trade. The one year contracts just get whatever you can get.
Arte probably needs to stay away from the beer kiosks before doing any interviews
@Rsox. The funny thing is people complained, about him not doing interviews. Now we know why he doesn’t. Insert foot in the mouth, and piss off the fanbase even more.
$200m?
Haha no chance this guy sniffs $200m! One of those guys who produces a good WAR but nowhere near superstar level.
Dansby Swanson is a good comparable and got close to 200 and that was a few years ago
Arte Moreno is a very ugly man. He’s also been rumored to be selling the team for almost 5 years. Thankfully, he retired having Arthur Blank’s mustache taped to his upper lip.
I could live with the Angels not reaching the playoffs if I was confident in the teams management/direction and optimistic about the future. Alas, Moreno and Carpino have sucked the life out of the organization and many of its fans.
It’s a shame and honestly embarrassing that Arte Moreno still hasn’t had a single real conversation with Ryan Hamill, the agent for Zach Neto, about a long‑term contract. According to the L.A. Times, Moreno and Hamill haven’t discussed any kind of extension, not even the framework of one.
How do you look at your best young shortstop a guy who plays hard, plays hurt, and actually gives a damn and just… ignore the future?
This is exactly how you end up watching Zach Neto get traded a few years down the road. Arte Moreno doesn’t recognize what he has. He has no desire to win, no long‑term vision, and still runs this franchise like a billboard company, not a baseball team.
And people wonder why top free agents avoid Anaheim. Why would they come here? The whole point of sports is winning. Players want October baseball. Players want a shot at a ring. Players want an owner who actually cares about building a contender.
Right now, the Angels don’t have that.
And until that changes, nothing else will. This is the owner that let Shohei Ohtani slipped through his fingers the cash cow. That will be on. Arte Moreno tombstone.
Thing is they won’t even trade him. They’ll let him leave in free agency and net absolutely nothing.
That’s how freaking stupid they are.
If they do trade him it will be in his last year when his value is its lowest.
He’s a budding elite SS, period. But, hey, at least the games in Anaheim will remain “affordable” to everyone.
And safe. Don’t forget how dangerous Anaheim is.
Arte reminds me a lot of Fred Wilpon. Had periods of spending money (poorly most of the time) and then tightening the purse strings and refusing to invest into what it takes to run a modern MLB franchise. When he did come out of the woodwork to speak it was always to the detriment of the franchise and baffling to hear. I hope Angels fans can be liberated from a bad owner like the Mets were sooner than later.
The Dodgers rebounded nicely after Frank McCourt, so anything is possible. However, I wouldn’t put it past Moreno go out of his way to screw the fans on his way out the door somehow. He’s still pouting over the bribery scandal and resulting power grab fail.
Ward. 2.7 2025 WAR
Renigfo. 0.4
Jansen. 2.4
Anderson. 2.0
Hendricks. 1.7
Burke. 1.5
Brogdon. -0.2
TOTAL WAR = 10.5
Lowe. 0.1
Moore. 0.1
Yates. -0.5
Rodriguez. 0.0 (DNP ’25)
Manoah. 0.0 (DNP ’25)
Pomeranz. 0.9
Romano. -1.7
TOTAL WAR = -1.1
So about 61 win season just on these swaps alone?
Grissom, Madrigal, Rodriguez, Monoah all DNP MLB in ’25. Candelario played only 22Gms before being cut, Siri only 16 Gms. Peraza .164 avg in 244ABS is not the better option. Hope Frazier makes the team. He was the better 2.5 million option than Newman was last year. Angels should bring Colin Moran off his couch and have the 2019 Pirates infield on board. Moran might be the best option at the moment for 3rd.
I think the new one-year-contract coaching staff will actually offset some of the losses. We’ve squandered a ton of draft capital over the years, but there are still some pretty talented young guys that might break out under quality coaching…especially pitchers with Maddux. I was thinking something closer to 75 wins. We’ll see!
You’re delusional Sealbeach Comber. Set the bottle down and walk away slowly….
@Sealbeach Comber. I feel like maddux will be the manager next year, and im fine with it to help the young pitching take the next step.
Has a chance and I think it does make sense for him to be the manager. But I think that whoever is manager should be the manager for multiple seasons.
1. Bad moustache farte is not so smart. It only takes 10 losing seasons ina row, to realize what is really going on. Geez farte. Felt great last year about kikuchi signing, and then? In spite of dumbo, this year it will all pay off, (soler, arnaud, Moore, will all be great. In the wings are a bunch of hungry pitchers. For me, I have to remember the big picture, sports is entertainment, Gambling is entertainment. Yesterday Fermin shut down the first two hitters, then gave up two runs. It seemed intentional. While I saw fermin cough up the two runs, I knewvthecangels would win with a walk off hit.I knewthe angels would win with a walk off hit. Entertainment, is not to be taken ser
Note: is that you scotttboras making comment. The Scott boras agent.
lmfao incomprehensible good comment
?
Entertainment is not to be taken seriously. I release the past, and will now predict that the angels win 2026 World Series. Why not. Who cares. Didn’t you already forget who won the Super Bowl.
Note: last season there was an interview of a Seattle relief pitcher admitting that babe Ruth was a made up story.( no real footage of Ruth) I believe that. Fats monahan, a vaudeville actor played Ruth, in having his picture taken. If you look at a photo of Ruth as a Red Sox pitcher, and then look at a photo as Ruth as a yankkee, it’s two different people. Lou Gehrig is real. Lou reincarnated as (the boy who knew to much). He is a left handed pitcher for a high school baseball team in southern calif. the book is titled the boy who knew to much. The key is to not take earth seriously. It’s a school. We all know what goes on at school. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
Love you arte.
It doesn’t even matter
If you high
Gold,
Nice that you took some time off from your normal vocation of yelling at cars to make your last two posts.
?
@Gold Question. What time did you start hitting the bottle today? Do you proof read you responses before you hit “post comment “ button.
Seek help
How many more did Baltimore win after a 100 loss season. If if if
The Angels are such a broken franchise with Arte Moreno. Buying when you should be selling, keeping valuable trade pieces during a 99 loss campaign, hurting the development of Caden Dana and Sam Aldegeri, etc.
He needs to sell the team.
I think it’s just Arte refusing to rebuild the club. Most rebuilds fail at the end of the day. He chose not to trade Ohtani which is probably 50/50 decision.
4.6 bWAR for their top-5 payroll hits, for a combined $115M. I use to follow them to see how mistakes they would make. Then felt sorry for the fans so I rooted for them. Now? They are not worth rooting either for or against.
Angel fans must love this guy.
The worst franchise in baseball somehow seems to be getting worse everyday.
Heard the same with my rooting interest for years. They spent money, they just sucked at identifying talent.
Neto is a gamer with oodles of talent. He gives 100% effort on everything when playing SS. His hitting forced the club to promote him because he was better than anyone on the team, except for a healthy and productive Mike Trout. He gives his all on the diamond and is very aggressive on the basepaths either by stealing bases or scoring from first base. The Angels are fools for not talking to Neto about extending him and buying it his remaining arbitration years. Sign him now. If the Angels ever get back to the playoffs, one of the top 3 reasons will be the play of Neto.
Im not a fan of Arte’s. I do not support or defend him or Carpino in any way. Arte needs to sell the team. That said, isn’t Neto a FA in 2030? That being the case, its not unusual that an extension has yet to be discussed, right? Seems reasonable to take a look at Netos future after the new CBA is agreed upon.
@angels & nl west. Neto has bad range and needs to be moved to catcher. Figured I’ll get that out of before halo11fan chirps. If arte doesn’t sell they might as trade neto, because he will probably walk. I wouldn’t sign a deal with the angels. Its the last stop before you retire or go to Japan.
I’m not paying the fee to stream the Angels …. not on cable ….. not in mind