With the baseball world wondering if a fire sale will take place with the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels due to the differing directions of the teams, the conversation has centered around each of the franchises' shortstops. As rumors will continue to surround the Astros and the Angels this offseason, this former player and analyst speaks on the shortstop market and how barren it is, leading to the higher value for Jeremy Pena and Zach Neto.

Erik Kratz would speak on “Foul Territory” on the matter, saying that the “asking price” is sure to be huge if a team in need of a shortstop would go after Pena or Neto.

“Two shortstops available, two shortstops that have clear upside,” Kratz said Wednesday. “Neto and Pena. Does a team pivot and go to Neto, or does a team pivot and go to Pena? I guess it's really the asking price…it's really if you can actually talk to somebody with the Angels. But I think there's an inflection point with both teams, and getting rid of a shortstop is a huge, huge deal.”

Shortstop help is hard enough to find.

If Jeremy Peña or Zach Neto becomes available, the asking price could be MASSIVE. pic.twitter.com/7FjmK70Zc4

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 4, 2026

Having been with Houston since 2022, Pena has been one of the top shortstops in MLB, as he recorded a .277 batting average to go along with 22 home runs and 56 RBIs in 112 games. As for Neto, who has been with Los Angeles since 2022, he had a career-high 27 home runs last season to go along with a .239 batting average, 77 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases.

Shortstops in the perspective of the Astros, Angels

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Kratz would also look at the situation from the perspective of the Astros and Angels, saying that while the return for a shortstop could be big, you're still giving up a premium position.

“You don't find big-league shortstops at very many places. That's why I think it's hard to move those guys because I think they'll probably ask the world for them,” Kratz said.

It remains to be seen if either Houston or Los Angeles gives up Pena and Neto, respectively, as the former won the AL WEST with an 81-81 record and the latter was last in the division at 62-100.