2024 MLB trade deadline grades: Report cards for every deal - ESPN

MLB trade season is here.

From the early deals to get things moving along to the flurry of deadline day activity Tuesday, this is your one-stop shop for grades and analysis breaking down the details for every trade as they go down.

Follow along as ESPN MLB experts Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield evaluate and grade each move, with the most recent grades at the top. This story will continue to be updated, so turn back for the freshest deadline analysis.

Mets get:
RHP Ryne Stanek

Mariners get:
OF Rhylan Thomas

Mets grade: B+

The Mets' bullpen has been a bit of a revolving door this season, and with New York about to amazingly pass the Braves for second place in the NL East, David Stearns continues to transform the group behind closer Edwin Diaz. Stanek might now be Carlos Mendoza's second- or third-best setup option along with fellow former Astro Phil Maton (another recent New York pickup).

Stanek hasn't had his best season, but he has been leaned on heavily by Seattle manager Scott Servais. His 2024 peripherals and velocity are all at career norms, so the Mets are getting the same guy we've seen for years in Tampa Bay and Houston. He is a clear upgrade for the New York relief corps and adds stability to a group that has been more than a little in flux.

Mariners grade: D+

Too often, it just seems like the sound and fury of Jerry DiPoto's transaction frenzies end up signifying nothing once the dust settles. (Decide for yourself whether that's a Shakespeare or a Faulkner reference.) This is another one of those times.

In the grade for the deal that sent Yimi Garcia to Seattle, we wrote that while Garcia is an upgrade for the Mariners' bullpen, it didn't seem necessary given the quality of those in that group who