Grading all 7 Mets trade deadline deals they made

Mets trade for Ryne Stanek – B+

Nothing has changed from this trade even with Ryne Stanek putting together a poor Mets debut. The original grade I gave it was a B+. I’m sticking with it.

Stanek for Rhylan Thomas seems like an excellent deal for the Mets. Thomas was never going to become a factor in the Mets outfield beyond being a bench player. Players with limited power don’t typically translate quite as well into big league starters. The exceptions are for guys like Jeff McNeil who can play multiple positions. Thomas is strictly an outfielder who would’ve had star capabilities in the 1980s. Today, not so much.

Stanek came to the Mets with a 4.38 ERA in 39 innings with the Seattle Mariners. Hoping he’s more like the version he was in 2021 or 2022 with the Houston Astros, the Mets paid a minimal price to get him. His contract isn’t crazy expensive either to the point where they’d feel any obligation to make him work. If Stanek really does end up as a bust, and clearly that’s not what I believe if I’m giving this trade a B+, then they can move on from him without much pain.

There is an upside to Stanek’s game. Eligible for anything from low leverage inning eater to a guy the Mets trust in the eighth inning, we’ll reserve complete judgment until we see how things end up.