Earlier this month, the Pirates were reported to have interest in trading for Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes. That no longer seems to be on the table now that Pittsburgh has agreed to a one-year, $12MM contract with DH Marcell Ozuna. Indeed, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirmed that those trade talks have “since gone quiet.” However, Mackey also added a notable tidbit about those talks: The two sides discussed catcher Joey Bart as part of the package the Pirates would send to the Astros in exchange for the two-time All-Star Paredes. Mackey went on to speculate that it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bart come up in future trade talks as well.
After years of struggling to live up to his top-prospect billing in San Francisco, Bart blossomed into a productive part-time player with Pittsburgh. Over the past two seasons, he owns a .745 OPS and a 110 wRC+ in 173 games. His defensive metrics have been poor but passable, considering his above-average offense. All in all, he has produced 1.3 FanGraphs WAR in back-to-back campaigns; his 2.6 total fWAR puts him among the game’s top 25 catchers since 2024.
As valuable as Bart has been for the Pirates the last two years, they can afford to part with him. General manager Ben Cherington told reporters (including Mackey) that he believes former top prospects Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez are capable of handling a “primary” catcher’s workload. He expressed the same faith in rookie Rafael Flores Jr. While Cherington went on to say that he will “hold onto that depth” for as long as he can, eventually, he’ll have to make a decision. The Pirates can’t carry four catchers on their Opening Day roster. The club certainly could decide to stick with Bart, the most proven choice, and option two of Davis, Rodríguez, and Flores to the minors. Yet, trading Bart also seems to be on the table.
The Astros still make sense as a suitor. After losing Victor Caratini in free agency to the Twins, Houston only has two catchers on its 40-man roster: starter Yainer Diaz and projected backup César Salazar. Non-roster invitee Carlos Pérez is the only other backstop in camp with big league experience. Salazar is entering his age-30 season with a .586 OPS, 0.3 fWAR, and 36 MLB games to his name. Pérez hasn’t played in the majors since 2023. And while Diaz ranked seventh among catchers in defensive innings last year, he still only started 111 games. There’s no question he could use a more proven backup.
The Rays are another potential suitor to consider; they were reportedly hoping to trade for a catcher back in January after missing out on free agent J.T. Realmuto. The Red Sox are another team that was, at least at one point, looking to improve behind the dish. Bart is set to make $2.53MM in his second year of arbitration eligibility. He will remain under team control through 2027.
Astros probably don’t put a lot of value on the backup catcher role due to Diaz starting 140 games a year.
Care about it enough to talk with Pirates to the point of discussing players.
There you have it, Dream. The rumor that the Bucs were talking about trading Bart
Better late than never I suppose but really so late who cares. Mlbtr knows we will click on any pirates article $$$$$$
He doesn’t start 140 behind the plate.
Bart is considerably better than your run-of-the-mill backup.
So they were supposedly serious about Valdez who ended up getting over 30mil but now can’t afford 12mil plus Paredes? Especially if sending out salary??
To me they turned to Ozuna once they realized the asking was to high. No reason the salary should be prohibitive
Supposedly is it. Did anyone other than Rosenthal confirm? If so what was the dollar amount? Years? Or even willing to do?
Either way spending to get someone who would start world series game 2 vs a slightly above average 3b when you already have a gold glove level 3b for league minimum isn’t the same thing.
Astros also want Barco allegedly who wouldn’t be someone you should be willing to trade for Paredes.
Reading is hard
If you think so you should try reading, which is much harder.
Late to party mlbtr. Someone reported this in comments days ago and apparently it was reported by reporter well before that.
I know, it’s not like there’s anything that’s happened in the past week in the MLB that should have gotten in the way of them prioritizing (checks notes…) the Pirates maybe talking to one team about a backup catcher
Talked about a all star 3b and a top 100 prospect. I’m sure much lesser things got posted. Ain’t complaining just saying.
Rafael Flores can hit. He might have the best hitting tool of the three young Pittsburgh catchers.
Not saying much
I hope it’s not a 1-1 trade. I would love to have Bart though, just not 1-1 for Paredes. If other pieces are coming, I’d do it. (Depends on the pieces, but you get the idea). If it’s not Paredes, I would be willing to part with say maybe Zach Dezenzo (Pirates need to add pieces as well). I think the only way that Bart recieves multiple players are Astro prospects.
What would Pirate fans want for Bart?
Anyone
Not Derek Bell
Bart has value. Hits LHP really well. Cheap because of lack of playing time. I would part with Bart. Would also include 11 to 40 range prospects if need be and probably need to be especially if other teams want Paredes still. And to make Houston look to fans they got more than just Bart. Just value wise I think prospect would need to go back or a reliever or something.
Way I took it Astros wanted Barco. No way would I do that and apparently Cherington agrees and trade is dead. Obviously Astros can lower their standards and trade talks could resume.
Pirates cannot trade Bart unless Paredes is involved.No Balco.
Do you want to rely on Endy Rodriguez as your backup catcher?
Jonah Heim has been signed already.No hitter and catching has gone downhill but decent as a reserve.
Endy had one good year in AAA but cannot stay healthy enough to catch.Can’t hit enough to play first base.Needs to play one full year in AAA to prove himself and last the whole year.Will have to be a utility man.
Flores has hitting potential but even working as hard as Henry will not become a good catcher.
If Astros want Bart they can trade Paredes and Pirates will give them a couple of young lower level pitchers.
Bart can also be worked at first base in Spring Training to see if he is passable there in case of injury to Horowitz or O’Hearn.
If both Horowitz ohearn are hurt doesn’t matter who plays 1b season likely over. But Triolo Lowe Flores Endy can play 1b.
Endy is fine as backup. Flores as well. If not someone will be dfa before season or need traded.
Im curious why such a high value on paredes.
He’s a solid, but not spectacular player.
His all-star nods both have asterisks as the league managed rep of a team and backing into a *backup* slot on the team, not starting, due so someone else’s withdrawal.
Its not like he made two AS nods by overwhelming talent and big numbers.
He’s a 2war player with some versatility on a 9+-13+m contract for two more seasons. Its not overwhelming surplus value
He replaced J-Ram. Dude that guys good. I would rather keep Paredes though. Sure other Stro fans would too.
Feels like third basemen are at a premium lately. If you can play 3rd and hit a little, you’re in demand.
Paredes can hit more than a little. Otherwise, I would agree with you.
It isn’t nice to gossip.
“His defensive metrics have been poor but passable….”
Yes, that’s what I want out of a catcher. lol
Poor but passable…that got me to.
2025 .891 ops .306 average
2024 .996 ops .333 average
Pretty sure thats what they are after not so much the catching.
Pirates: “How about Joey Bart?”
Astros: “That would get you like 20% of the way there. And what else?”
This seems to be the problem with the Astros moving Paredes: they want to shed salary, and replace Paredes production, and they want that person to bat left handed. Those three things are far too specific which is why you didn’t get Duran for him which was your best bet. But he wasnt cheap enough.
Bart and Mangum would be a very good return but not for Astros fans I don’t think.
If Dana Brown is stalled, I don’t care. I want to keep Paredes. He is very specific though.
You’re proposing a backup catcher and fourth outfielder for an all star. I get that the money and the years of control help, but the Bucs would be getting by far the best player in that deal, with very minimal chance of that changing. By trade value, that may not be a terrible trade, but by optics no GM or fan is going to want that.
I prefer Sanchez over Mangum.
No I understand that. The point is the narrowness of the desired return is the problem which is why I said that Duran was the best trade you’d get but it didn’t fit all three criteria. You want an all star left handed OF that is cheaper than $9m a year. How many of those exist? You can have two of those three but not all three.
All star in Houston Tampa. Not a all star in many other parks. And was all star. Only what he will do going forward matters. Bart is well over 20 percent of the value and I imagine the Pirates realize and are willing to include more. Hopefully not Mangum though as he is more valuable than Paredes being minimum wage for a long time.
For a team whose catcher has played 100+ games in each of the last two years? And won’t get in the lineup on that team as DH?
20% might be an exaggeration, but it’s not more than half, given that he doesn’t fit all that well for Houston outside of the cheap contract. 60 games of adequate bat and not terrible defense doesn’t have much value.
Yordan Alvarez
I know–thats why it wouldn’t be a Bart for Paredes trade. It’d likely be Bart, Mangum, and a prospect like Stafura. That meets two of your needs and gives additional value with a prospect.
Fans get most frustrated when they just look at the player and the headliner return.
Cherington was smart in getting Mangum because with those outfielders they better have someone who can play CF well.
He is practically untouchable with how he fits into the scheme.
Do it
I don’t care if it’s Paredes, Baty, or Vientos, there is no excuse not to get a deal done and actually try to win in what may be your last year with Skenes.
Yeah it’s pathetic. “Sorry, we added a $12M contract at a completely different (non)position. We no longer need to add”
How about the give the ss job to KG and play Triolo at 3b. I’ll take that over any 3b available.
Bart for a box of 2026 Topps Series 1.
Heres to hoping Henry Davis figure it out. Cheers
Cherington is probably going to trade Bart for Shay Whitcomb and a few spare parts.
I would take Bart for Whitcomb, 12 truck tire wheels, and an FCL prospect.
Mark it down. FG called Whitcomb a “guy who could become another Addison Barger” and Cherington does all his analytics on Fangraphs.
I think the Astros would still deal Whitcomb. He’s an AAAA player.
Offer Harrington, Bart & another piece for Paredes ! I would hold onto Barco
CF Cruz
1B. Horwitz
RF. Reynolds
DH. Ozuna
2B. Lowe
3B. Paredes
LF. O’ Hearn
C. Flores
SS Triolo(Griffin)
That’s a pretty stacked lineup
If that’s the trade framework, gimme Johnson or Stafura. But that only happens if Jesus Sanchez tears up in spring training. So wish!