Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) high fives outfielder Mike Trout (27) after the final out of the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium on Apr 8, 2024.
The Los Angeles Angels have not been to the postseason since 2014, and Mike Trout has stuck with the Halos for every one of those missed playoff appearances. But now, the Angels are determined to get the future Hall of Famer back to playing in October.
“We need to help Mike — and we all pointed at Mike — get to the postseason,” Angels shortstop Zach Neto said, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. “He is, if not the greatest player to play this game, one of them. He needs to be in the playoffs.”
Apr 8, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) high fives outfielder Mike Trout (27) after the final out of the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Angels drafted Neto with the No. 13 overall pick in 2022. He made his MLB debut the following year in 2023 and has become a bright spot for a franchise coming off back-to-back last-place finishes.
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He has emerged as a leader on the Angels alongside Trout. And while Trout is approaching the final years of his career, Neto is just getting started in MLB.
Angels Need to Sign Neto to a Long-Term Contract Extension
Neto is under team control through the 2029 season, but his worth is increasing more and more every season. Therefore, the Angels need to secure Neto for the long-term future by offering him a contract extension.
The Angels signed Trout to a record-breaking 12-year, $426.5-million contract ahead of the 2019 season. Trout signed his first contract extension with the Halos in the first year he became eligible for salary arbitration.
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Neto became eligible for arbitration this offseason but Los Angeles reportedly did not make him a formal long-term contract offer, according to co-head of CAA Baseball Ryan Hamill. Instead, the Angels and Neto agreed to a one-year, $4.15 million contract to avoid arbitration.
Other than getting back Trout back to the postseason, one of the main focuses for Neto’s 2026 season is to stay healthy. He underwent shoulder surgery in November 2024 that caused him to miss the first 18 regular season games in 2025. Then, he missed the last 15 regular season games with a left hand strain.
Neto acknowledged the doubts surrounding the Angels this season but said he is ready to “prove people wrong” in 2026.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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