Picture Zach Neto in a Boston Red Sox uniform. The idea, at least from the Red Sox’s perspective, is not far-fetched.The Sox, after expressing interest in the Los Angeles Angels shortstop last offseason, continue to view him as a strong fit, according to people briefed on their discussions but granted anonymity to speak freely.The talks between the Red Sox and Angels regarding Neto last winter did not progress to the point of exchanging names. John Mozeliak has since taken over as interim general manager of the Angels, replacing Perry Minasian. It is not clear how willing the team would be to trade Neto, who is earning $4.15 million this season and under club control for three additional years.The Red Sox are 20-3 since June 25, going from potential sellers to likely buyers. Even if Neto is unattainable, the middle infield is an area of focus for Boston as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches.During their 15-game winning streak, which concluded Wednesday night, the Sox played Andruw Monasterio and Tsung-Che Cheng at shortstop and Anthony Seigler and Romy González at second base.None is considered an everyday player. All are capable of playing other infield positions, and González has 26 career appearances in the outfield, including 11 starts.Shortstop Trevor Story, who has not played since May 14 due to a sports hernia that required surgery, told reporters Monday that he expects to begin a rehabilitation assignment sometime in August.Story, 33, could move to second base if the Red Sox acquired Neto or another shortstop. He would lack the leverage to fight a position change.At the time he went on the injured list, Story was batting .206 with a .547 OPS and playing below-average defense while earning $25 million. He also is due $25 million next season, and his contract includes a $5 million buyout on a $25 million club option for 2028.The Red Sox place a premium on up-the-middle defense, and Neto’s defensive metrics are mixed. But at 25, he is more than eight years younger than Story. And while he entered Thursday batting only .238, he had 19 home runs and a .771 OPS, ranking sixth among shortstops in wRC+ and 11th in fWAR.The Angels almost certainly would want multiple young players in return for Neto. Marcelo Mayer, who opened the season as the Red Sox’s starting second baseman, conceivably could be one of them.Mayer, 23, currently is on the IL with a bone stress reaction in his left forearm. Once he is healthy, it is possible the Red Sox will demote him to Triple A. Prior to his injury, he was batting only .220 with a .594 OPS.In addition to Neto, the Angels must decide whether they will trade two starting pitchers who come with two additional years of control, right-hander José Soriano and left-hander Reid Detmers.Owner Arte Moreno has resisted trading players under long-term control in the past. Mozeliak told The Athletic last month he does not believe the Angels need to rebuild.— Jen McCaffrey contributed to this story