There's only 1 righty catcher Yankees should trade for (and Astros want him)

The Houston Astros have shown registered interest in Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart. When the two sides attempted to come together on an Isaac Paredes trade package, Bart was a focus. Huh. So one of the Yankees' prime rivals views Bart as a winning player under the right circumstances? The Yankees, on the other hand, are still clamoring for a right-handed catcher of some kind to balance out their bench? The free agent market is devoid of options? The Yankees have a documented history of trading successfully with the Pirates — and, in fact, gave them the catcher who'll probably replace Bart last summer?

Yeah. Pick up the phone, Cash. Before the Astros re-engage.

Bart's 2024 stint as one of the best offensive (and clutch) catchers in baseball may have been a semi-mirage. The former Giants top prospect may never again post a 121 OPS+ while facing both southpaws and right-handed flamethrowers regularly. He may not carry a lineup for the duration of a summer. But even his 2025 regression left him as a near-league-average bat (96 OPS+) who hit .306 with an .891 OPS against lefty pitching, good for a 152 wRC+ (weighted runs created, 52% better than league-average).

If the Yankees were to acquire him, he'd know his role instantly. It may feature a few more Garrett Crochet games or Aroldis Chapman plate apparances than he'd prefer in an ideal world, but hey, that's the AL East for you.

Yankees should push to beat out Houston Astros for a Joey Bart trade with Pirates

If the Yankees were to acquire Bart, Aaron Boone would have his most diverse array of platoon options yet. He would be out of excuses. He could build a lineup for all seasons, and would have a potent option lurking for all opportunities.

What would it cost? Brian Cashman and Ben Cherington have shared more than just a pair of initials for the past half-decade. The Yankees have previously found success by giving the Pirates more bites at the apple rather than the ideal streamlined prospect package. David Bednar was a three-for-one that was more about floor than ceiling. Jameson Taillon was a four-for-one, mostly known these days for including Jaxson Smith-Njigba's brother.

It's hard to imagine New York couldn't find a match here. They could offer JC Escarra, coveted elsewhere (so we've been told) but an imperfect roster fit. Pirates fans I've spoken to would like to get Jorbit Vivas off the 40-man roster; begrudgingly, I'd let them have him (sarcasm detected). Add in a legitimate wild card prospect — Eric Reyzelman or Harrison Cohen for the bullpen? — and this should match up nicely. It's a shame TJ Rumfield is no longer available; he sounds like a Pirate.

And Bart sounds like the last remaining solution behind the plate whose upside is real, and whose addition would do more than just check a generic box.