Fanmail Friday #9 - When will Neto Return?
Mar 21, 2025 - Written by Bryan Whitfield
Photo Credit : @MLBTradeRumors - X
It's that time of the week again. Every Friday, where fans can interact with us directly. A member of the Inside Halos team answers a set of questions submitted by our followers via Instagram or the Q&A Google Form and this week is my 2nd Fanmail Friday that I will be able to answer your questions. Make sure you mark your calendars and submit your questions for us to be answered every Friday right here on InsideHalos.com!
Q: Is Kyren Paris or Christian Moore making the Opening Day Roster? (@b.avila43)
A: All indication from what we've heard from Wash is both Paris & Moore will begin the season in the minors. Both will contribute at the Major League level at some point I'm sure, but sounds like neither will be making the Opening Dag Roster which is very unfortunate.
Q: Do you think Tim Anderson will be better than his previous seasons? (@not_lane__)
A: I think he has a better year than 2024, average wise i don't think he gets back to where he once was pre-2023. I think you'll see a little more power this season. I do also think he's a strong DFA candidate once Neto and Moore are ready to go. So he has to perform, otherwise he's on the short stick.
Q: Do you think the Angels will be sellers at the deadline? (@cory.estrella.756) How are you feeling this year? (@tylerjepsenn)
A: Short answer, yes, probably. However I do think this team has a chance to be sneaky good and push for a winning record. They also have a lot of pieces that they could trade come the deadline such as Ward, Rengifo, Hendricks, Jansen, and both Anderson's. It ultimately depends if we think we can compete for a playoff spot or not come July. My goal for this season is to see the young guys take that next step and by seasons end be a .500 team. That's my goal for the year, need everything to go right for .500 or better.
Q: What's do you expect the outfield configuration to be? (@lukeffranklin) Adell or Moniak? (@bbunny0711)
A: Right now expectation is Ward will be in LF, Trout in RF, Soler will get some appearances in the outfield when Trout needs a couple days at DH. Both Moniak and Adell will be our primary CF's. If they go pure platoon, Moniak will be on the better side of the platoon playing against right-handers whereas Adell would get the left-handers. My expectation is Adell to get the majority of playing time since that's what we saw last year. In my mind, Moniak should be given a fair chance in CF and he'll be the better of the two defensively as well. Wash also stated he wants one of Moniak or Adell to take the job, so sounds like he'd rather have someone take the job rather than go platoon. I would prefer Moniak to be that guy.
Q: Who was your favorite player growing up? (@matthewwalters23)
A: My favorite players growing up were Vladimir Guerrero and Bengie Molina. As a kid, I wanted to be a catcher and whenever Bengie came up to the plate, I'd pretend to be the announcer. Announcing, "Bengie Molina up!" And dig in to the plate in front of my tv, just as Bengie would. Get in my stance and try to swing for the fences! Man those were the days! I was also a big fan of Jarrod Washburn!
Q: When is Neto coming back? (@sannnchh_20)
A: All indication is Neto will miss the start of the regular season. Sounds like he is ahead of schedule though and should be back mid to late April. There's a pretty good chance he has a rehab assignment to get his swing on time before making his 2025 debut as well since he missed all of Spring Training. Sounds like we should see him in April though. It will be very interesting to see who’s in and who’s out once Neto returns. They could have Luis Rengifo take over at 3B over Yoan Moncada or 2B for Tim Anderson. Christian Moore could also come up and fill in at 2B. Newman likely will head to the bench once Neto is back in a super utility role. A lot of unanswered questions that will surely be based on performance once Neto is ready to come back.
Q: Do you think we sign a big free agent next offseason? (@lil.osxar)
A: Everything in me tells me we will. Who that is, is yet to be determined. But there are plenty of great players hitting free agency. The big one is obviously Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who part of me thinks Arte will make a serious run at considering Vladdy Sr. was one of Arte's most successful signings. I just think nostalgia will bring Arte to be willing to pay Vladdy Jr. around $500M if not maybe a little more. Dylan Cease and Michael King are two other names that could be interesting targets for the Halos come the offseason!
Q: Should the Angels run a six-man rotation? (@coolbrad124) Should Reid Detmers or Jack Kochanowicz be in the rotation?
A: No, not at all. From what we heard after Shohei Ohtani left, the pitchers that were in the 6-man rotation hated it and felt like they weren't in a proper schedule which ultimately didn't allow them to pitch to their fullest. A six-man rotation is not necessary, yes you have depth and could fill a rotation of that size, but it's better to stay away from that, give these guys the rest and routines they are used to and not mess with that again because it didn't work before.
Both Reid Detmers and Jack Kochanowicz have deserved their spot in the Opening Day rotation, unfortunately, as it stands one of the two will not make the Opening Day rotation. Detmers has shown success in the majors, he’s thrown a no-hitter and showed early success in his first four starts to begin the 2024 season before falling off a cliff that eventually led to a demotion. Detmers in my opinion should be given the opportunity to show he’s improved. They put his locker right next to Kyle Hendricks in hopes he could help Detmers on the mental side of the game. Jack K has also deserved a spot in the rotation, I personally think you give Detmers the spot in the rotation to start the year, option Kochanowicz back down to the minors so he is starting, and allow him to be the next guy up when you need him. I think a big mistake would be to have either of the two in a bullpen role, and unfortunately I think that’s the route they end up going. Jose Soriano was started the 2024 campaign in the bullpen and moved to the rotation after an early season injury to Chase Silseth in the first week of the season. Let me hear your thoughts on who should be in the rotation in the comments down below!
Q: Thoughts on the Angels new cellphone ban implemented by Wash in the clubhouse? (@itzyaboi_carlos)
A: Honestly I don't really mind it one way or the other, from what Neto and Trout had to say about it, sounds like it's working. Both said good things about it and that it's allowed them to bond better in the clubhouse. If it increases team chemistry, I'm all for it.
Thank you all so much for those who participated this week, if we didn’t get to your question or if you have any questions you want to submit to InsideHalos.com, please click the button to submit your questions for next weeks Fanmail Friday! Thanks and see you next Friday for more!
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