Joey Bart Emerging as a Key Trade Chip in Pirates’ Search for Infield Stability
There’s been plenty of smoke around the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offseason conversations, and one name keeps coming up as a potential key to unlocking a bigger move: catcher Joey Bart.
Earlier in the winter, the Pirates were linked to Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes - a right-handed bat with serious pull power and a profile that fits like a glove at PNC Park. His ability to drive the ball to left field plays perfectly with Pittsburgh’s short porch, and he’d bring some much-needed offensive presence to third base, a spot the Pirates have leaned on mostly for defense in recent years.
But with Houston’s recent addition of Marcell Ozuna, those talks have reportedly cooled. Still, what’s left behind could be just as important: Joey Bart was part of the conversations. And that detail might have longer legs than the Paredes connection itself.
Bart’s Quiet Resurgence - and Why It Matters Now
Since landing in Pittsburgh, Bart has quietly rebuilt his value. Over the last two seasons, he’s posted a .745 OPS and a 110 wRC+, notching 1.3 fWAR in each of those campaigns. That production places him among the top 25 catchers in baseball since 2024 - not elite, but certainly solid, especially when paired with capable defense behind the plate.
But here’s the catch - no pun intended - the Pirates are deep at the position. Ben Cherington has made it clear he believes in Henry Davis, Endy Rodríguez, and Rafael Flores Jr. as long-term options behind the dish. That’s four catchers for three spots, and it’s hard to see Pittsburgh rolling into the season with that kind of redundancy.
Bart, with his recent production, affordability ($2.53 million in arbitration), and team control through 2027, suddenly becomes a very tradable asset.
Houston Still Makes Sense - Even If the Initial Talks Have Stalled
If the Astros still want to shore up their catching depth, Bart fits their needs cleanly. After losing Victor Caratini to free agency, Houston is leaning on Yainer Diaz as the starter.
Diaz is coming off a strong season, but he logged a heavy workload in 2025, starting 111 games - and there’s not much behind him. César Salazar is penciled in as the backup, and Carlos Pérez is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Bart would immediately bring stability to that room. He could take pressure off Diaz, offer solid defense, and chip in with above-average offense for the position. That’s a valuable combination, especially for a team with postseason aspirations.
Could This Be a Bigger Deal in the Making?
There’s also the potential for a broader deal that helps both clubs. If Pittsburgh wants to make a serious play for Paredes - or another infielder - they could use Bart as the centerpiece in a package that also includes someone like Jack Suwinski.
Suwinski remains one of the more confounding pieces on the Pirates’ roster. There’s no denying his raw power, but he hasn’t locked down a consistent everyday role.
In Houston, though, his left-handed bat could be a better fit. The Astros’ lineup is heavily right-handed, and Suwinski’s streaky, power-heavy approach might actually play up in that context.
A deal built around Bart and Suwinski could help the Pirates in multiple ways: clearing up the catching logjam, opening up the outfield picture, and bringing in a more stable presence at third base. It would also give Pittsburgh more roster flexibility heading into Opening Day - something they could use as they try to take the next step forward.
The Bottom Line
The Pirates have depth behind the plate. What they need is clarity in the infield - and maybe a little more balance in the outfield. That kind of imbalance often leads to movement, especially when you’ve got a tradable piece like Bart who fits a clear need elsewhere.
Whether it’s Houston, Tampa Bay, Boston, or another team re-evaluating its catching situation, Joey Bart might just be the key that unlocks Pittsburgh’s next big move.