This week’s mailbag will get into a possible extension for Zach Neto, who might provide a Juan Soto-like bundle for Paul Skenes, Ken Rosenthal’s current article on the Nationals, doubtlessly obtainable outfielders and relievers, upcoming free brokers who’ve helped and damage their inventory, and far more.
RJ asks:
What would an extension seem like for Zach Neto?
Neto, 24, was the primary participant from the 2022 draft class to succeed in the Majors. As a rookie in 2023, Neto missed a month with an indirect pressure and later missed greater than that with a again harm. He did not hit a lot as a rookie, however as a shortstop was nonetheless value about 2 WAR per 150 video games.
Neto prevented the IL in his breakout 2024 season and took off offensively round Might, posting a 122 wRC+ from that time ahead. He logged over 1,300 innings at shortstop and was value 3.5 WAR. His baseball card stats had been sturdy too, with 23 homers and 30 steals.
Statcast’s Outs Above Common says Neto is a subpar defender by way of vary, suggesting he is not nice at lateral motion. The extra holistic DRS sees Neto as a constructive (we mentioned OAA and DRS final week). I do not get the impression his protection is taken into account a legal responsibility, and it most likely will not restrict his incomes energy a lot.
Neto underwent November shoulder surgical procedure, making his season debut on April 18th because of this. He is posted a 141 wRC+ in 152 plate appearances since then, which ranks thirty second within the Majors and fifth amongst shortstops. He is on tempo for five.8 WAR per 150 video games, which might make him a top-five shortstop in baseball. Within the small 2025 pattern, Neto has traded contact for energy, with a tempo placing him near 40 bombs over a full season. Neto went from no crimson on his Statcast web page final yr to tons of it this yrwith an anticipated slugging share that is truly larger than his already-excellent .542 mark. The second-phase breakout appears actual.
The Angels might hardly be accused of service time manipulation, having promoted Neto lower than 9 months after they signed him out of the draft. But because it stands, he entered the season with one yr and 170 days of Main League service, two days shy of two full years. Meaning Neto will undergo arbitration 4 occasions beginning with the 2026 season, leading to free company after 2029.
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