Trade Rumors Swirl Around Pirates' Catcher Joey Bart: Who Will Make the Move?
The baseball world is buzzing with speculation as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros have reportedly discussed a potential trade involving catcher Joey Bart. But here's where it gets controversial: while the initial talks centered around Astros' third baseman Isaac Paredes, those negotiations have seemingly cooled off. So, what's really going on? And this is the part most people miss: Bart's name has emerged as a key piece in the puzzle, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about his future.
Earlier this month, rumors surfaced that the Pirates were eyeing Paredes, a two-time All-Star, to bolster their lineup. However, those plans appear to have been shelved after Pittsburgh inked a one-year, $12MM deal with designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirmed that the Paredes trade talks have 'since gone quiet.' Yet, Mackey dropped a bombshell: Joey Bart was part of the proposed package the Pirates would send to Houston in exchange for Paredes. Could this be a sign of things to come?
Bart, once a top prospect in San Francisco, has found new life in Pittsburgh. Over the past two seasons, he's posted a solid .745 OPS and a 110 wRC+ across 173 games. While his defensive metrics aren't stellar, they're serviceable, especially considering his above-average offensive contributions. With 1.3 FanGraphs WAR in back-to-back seasons, Bart ranks among the top 25 catchers since 2024, boasting a total of 2.6 fWAR. But is his time with the Pirates coming to an end?
General manager Ben Cherington has hinted that the team is confident in their catching depth, with former top prospects Henry Davis, Endy Rodríguez, and rookie Rafael Flores Jr. all vying for playing time. Cherington insists he'll 'hold onto that depth' as long as possible, but the reality is, the Pirates can't carry four catchers on their Opening Day roster. So, what's the play here? Do they stick with the proven Bart and send two of the younger catchers to the minors, or is trading Bart the more likely scenario?
The Astros still make sense as a potential landing spot. After losing Victor Caratini to the Twins in free agency, Houston's catching depth is thin. Starter Yainer Diaz and projected backup César Salazar are the only catchers on their 40-man roster, with non-roster invitee Carlos Pérez as the only other option with big league experience. Salazar, entering his age-30 season, has a modest .586 OPS and just 36 MLB games under his belt, while Pérez hasn't played in the majors since 2023. Diaz, despite ranking seventh in defensive innings last year, started only 111 games. A proven backup like Bart could be exactly what the Astros need.
But here's the twist: the Astros aren't the only team in the mix. The Tampa Bay Rays, who missed out on J.T. Realmuto in free agency, were reportedly looking to trade for a catcher back in January. The Boston Red Sox, too, have shown interest in upgrading their catching tandem. With Bart set to earn $2.53MM in his second year of arbitration eligibility and under team control through 2027, he represents an affordable and reliable option for any team in need of catching help.
What do you think? Is trading Bart the right move for the Pirates, or should they hold onto their proven catcher? And which team do you think will ultimately land him? Let us know in the comments below—this debate is far from over!
