The Tampa Bay Rays are going big-game hunting this summer.
In addition to reportedly chasing Tarik Skubal, Tampa Bay has shown interest in Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta, sources told Robert Murray of FanSided.
Rays shortstops have combined to post an AL-worst 72 wRC+ this season, along with just one home run. Despite employing one of the sport's premier power hitters in Junior Caminero, the team has lacked power overall, hitting just 105 long balls this season, with Caminero responsible for 29 of them.
Neto would help turn those trends around as an offense-first shortstop, though he'd buck the Rays' usual preference for low strikeouts (he leads the AL with 146) and solid defense (15 errors). The 25-year-old is hitting .235/.326/.440 with 19 long balls, 46 RBIs, and 13 steals across 446 plate appearances with the Angels this year. He'd also allow Taylor Walls, Tampa's current everyday shortstop, to slide into a defensive replacement role that better suits him.
However, getting Neto won't be easy, as the rebuilding Angels have put a high price tag on him, according to Murray. Neto's earning just $4.15 million this season and is under team control through 2029.
The Boston Red Sox have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring Neto.
Peralta, meanwhile, is a virtual lock to be traded as an impending free agent on a disappointing Mets team. He's in the midst of a down year, recording a career-worst 4.99 ERA, 4.47 FIP, and 1.48 WHIP along with an 8.9 K/9 rate over 22 starts in New York.
Still, the 30-year-old would bring plenty of pedigree to the Rays staff as a reliable workhorse with playoff experience. Peralta's just one year removed from a fifth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting. A move to the back of a deep Rays rotation that already includes All-Stars Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez could help him rebound down the stretch.
Tampa Bay entered play Tuesday sporting the AL's best record at 62-43, with a 2.5-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East.
