NY Mets prospect traded in 2024 feels like a David Stearns guy after all

David Stearns hasn’t made a haymaker trade for the New York Mets. Without a doubt, the recent trade for Freddy Peralta has the potential to be their biggest and most impactful in either direction.

He has had his share of hits and misses. Trades like the one for Ryan Helsley last summer are hard to criticize without leaning too heavily on hindsight. We all liked it at the time. It just didn’t go the way we envisioned.

Stearns shouldn’t have any regrets over that deal. What about one of his less successful ones from 2024? Based on a current preference for players who make contact, he might wish he traded someone else for Ryne Stanek in 2024.

The prospect the Mets gave up for Ryne Stanek feels like a David Stearns guy

Rhylan Thomas went to the Seattle Mariners for Stanek. A mid-level prospect who didn’t really seem to have much of a future in New York, he’s a soon-to-be 26-year-old outfielder who can play some center field as well as the other outfield spots. He was just 1 for 8 in his 3 games in the majors for the Mariners, but he delivered in Triple-A.

A .325/.380/.411 slash line in Triple-A for Tacoma, Thomas kept up with his reputation as a contact-first hitter. He walked 46 times and struck out an astonishing 32 times. His speed took off, too. He stole 35 bases, surpassing his previous high of 21.

Translating that minor league success to the majors won’t be easy. Thomas is unique, but limited power can hold him back. If he becomes nothing more than a strong defender who can steal bases, get on base, and put the ball in play, he’ll have a long major league career. It just might not be with the same team.

His arm strength will add pressure to him becoming a plus defender in terms of range. Center field for the Mariners is secured with Julio Rodriguez. Thomas, as a fourth outfielder type, could still find opportunities with the M’s or possibly another ball club.

Maybe a frustrating thing for the Mets is how they’ve traded away so many center fielders in recent years who’ve actually had MLB success. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the charge. Jake Mangum’s impressive rookie season last year is another who would’ve been nice to have around. Thomas has yet to play consistently well at the major league level, in large part because of a lack of opportunities.

When the Mets traded him for Stanek, it might have been partly a choice of dealing him over Nick Morabito who is currently on the 40-man roster but not expected to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. A similar player to Thomas, Morabito saw his strikeout total climb as he has risen up through the minors. He fanned 115 times in Double-A last year. A better base stealer and maybe stronger defender, it’s a pair to watch develop and compare.