The Pirates' Catching Conundrum: Exploring the Joey Bart Trade Scenario
Could the Pittsburgh Pirates be ready to part ways with a valuable asset? Earlier this month, rumors swirled around the Pirates' interest in acquiring Astros' third baseman Isaac Paredes. However, the narrative took a twist when the Pirates signed Marcell Ozuna, seemingly ending their pursuit of Paredes. But here's where it gets intriguing: in the midst of these discussions, the Pirates and Astros also talked about catcher Joey Bart as a potential trade piece.
Bart, once a highly-touted prospect with the San Francisco Giants, has found his groove with the Pirates. Over the past two seasons, he's been a solid contributor, boasting a .745 OPS and a 110 wRC+ in 173 games. His defensive skills might not be exceptional, but they're adequate, especially when paired with his offensive prowess. With 1.3 FanGraphs WAR in consecutive seasons and a total fWAR of 2.6 since 2024, he's established himself as one of the top catchers in the game.
Despite Bart's success, the Pirates find themselves in a peculiar situation. General Manager Ben Cherington believes that Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez can handle the primary catching duties, and he also expressed confidence in rookie Rafael Flores Jr. With three other capable catchers on the roster, Cherington might be forced to make a tough decision. And this is the part most people miss: the Pirates could either keep Bart, the experienced option, or trade him and send two of the other catchers to the minors.
The Astros, who recently lost Victor Caratini to the Twins, have a catching vacancy. Their current roster includes starter Yainer Diaz and backup César Salazar, but Salazar's track record is modest at best. With only two catchers on the 40-man roster, the Astros could benefit from adding a player like Bart. And the Rays, who missed out on J.T. Realmuto, and the Red Sox, who were seeking catching upgrades, could also be potential destinations for Bart.
As Bart enters his second year of arbitration eligibility, earning $2.53MM, and with team control through 2027, the Pirates have a valuable trade chip on their hands. But the question remains: will they choose to strengthen their catching depth or capitalize on Bart's value in a trade? The decision could shape the Pirates' future and spark debates among fans and analysts alike.
What do you think? Should the Pirates keep Joey Bart or explore trade opportunities? Are the Astros or other teams a good fit for Bart's talents? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
