Red Sox Reportedly Tried To Acquire Star Infielder Before Trading For Caleb Durbin

The Boston Red Sox had reportedly been trying to get more infield help.

Boston acquired young infielder Caleb Durbin in a blockbuster deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Durbin can play third base for the Red Sox and fill the void of Alex Bregman, who signed with the Chicago Cubs in free agency.

Yet, before acquiring Durbin, the Red Sox reportedly tried to acquire Zach Neto from the Los Angeles Angels, according to insider Sean McAdam of MassLive.

“With Marte off the market, the Red Sox, according to an industry source, took several tries at obtaining Zach Neto from the Los Angeles Angels,” McAdam wrote, in a piece published on Monday. “Neto, 25, is a plus defender with more pop — a combined 49 homers the last two years — and would have been a significant addition.

“A natural shortstop, Neto could have moved to either second or third for the time being until Trevor Story’s deal was up. But predictably, the Angels set a very high bar when it came to the return and the two teams were unable to match up.”

Neto is under team control through the 2029 season, so he would have been a key part of the Red Sox’s core. Yet, the Angels seemingly didn’t want to part ways with the 25-year-old star infielder.

Neto hit .257 with 26 home runs and 62 RBIs with the Angels last season. He was selected 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Although the Red Sox didn’t get Neto, Boston was still able to land Durbin to be a key part of their roster. Durbin is under team control through 2031 and can play around the infield.

Durbin hit .256 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs last season, in his rookie year.

The Red Sox will open their 2026 MLB season on March 26 on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.