Five most likely landing spots for SF Giants catcher Joey Bart

Marc Delucchi ranks the five most likely trade partners for the SF Giants as they shop former top prospect catcher Joey Bart.

It's no secret that former second overall pick Joey Bart's future with the SF Giants has been in jeopardy ever since Patrick Bailey and Blake Sabol usurped him on the organization's depth chart this season. While it seemed likely that Bart would be traded at some point this offseason, since he has no remaining minor-league options, it was not out of the question that he would receive an opportunity to beat out Sabol for the backup catcher gig in spring training. However, after agreeing to a two-year, $8.25 million deal with Tom Murphy on Monday, the Giants are clearly not leaving a runway for Bart to make the 2024 Opening Day roster. So, with a trade imminent, here are the five best fits for Bart.

SF Giants C Joey Bart leaves the field for a pinch runner after hitting a double (2023) / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

5 most likely trade fits for SF Giants catcher Joey Bart:
1. Tampa Bay Rays

Christian Bethancourt, the Rays primary catcher in 2023, has already signed with the Marlins, leaving Tampa Bay with no proven backstops currently in the organization. The two leading candidates to start for the Rays on Opening Day right now are René Pinto and Alex Jackson. Pinto showed promise in 39 big-league games last season while Jackson is a journeyman who has recently been productive at Triple-A, but has a career .141/.243/.227 triple-slash in the majors.

With only one other catcher in Tampa Bay's organization having any experience at Triple-A, it's clear that the Rays need more catching depth. Given Bart's improved defensive performance last season and long track record as a prospect, it seems like an easy sell. The Rays continue to have one of the deepest farm systems in the league and are especially rich in upper minors infielders. Whether it would be a small one-for-one swap or Bart included as part of a larger package, it seems like there are plenty of potential avenues to find a deal.

5 most likely trade fits for SF Giants catcher Joey Bart:
2. Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox will need to replace Yasmani Grandal this offseason and are currently looking at Korey Lee and Max Stassi. Stassi has been fine defensively, but fell off a cliff offensively last season. Lee has been abysmal in his limited big-league sample and was far from exceptional at Triple-A last season. It would make a lot of sense for the White Sox to add Bart to the mix and give him an opportunity to establish himself as the team's backstop of the future.

5 most likely trade fits for SF Giants catcher Joey Bart:
3. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies may have an established everyday catcher in Elias Díaz, who was selected to his first-career All-Star Game last season. However, Díaz's backup last season Austin Wynns has already inked a one-year deal with the Reds.

Brian Serven is currently Colorado's best internal option to replace Wynns as Díaz's backup. However, Serven hit just .199/.241/.331 at Triple-A last season and has a career .562 OPS at the MLB level. Serven also has multiple option years remaining, leaving the door open for the Rockies to add Bart as the primary backup and retain Serven as insurance at Triple-A.

As the Rockies continue looking ahead at a prolonged rebuild, gambling on Bart's upside as a power-hitter playing at Coors Field also makes sense. Díaz is already 33, and is slated to become a free agent after next season. While the Rockies likely believe Drew Romo, one of the organization's top prospects, will be ready to replace Díaz when the time comes, there's a clear opportunity to take a flier on someone like Bart.

5 most likely trade fits for SF Giants catcher Joey Bart:
4. Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras is not going anywhere, however, he saw plenty of playing time as a designated hitter last season for Victor Caratini. With Caratini agreeing to a contract with the Astros, the Brewers need a new backup. Top prospect Jeferson Quero may be a candidate to help out at some point next season, but he still has not played above Double-A and just turned 21.

Bart would easily slot into the backup catcher role and given the uncertain future state of the Brewers franchise, which will likely lose Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames within the next year, making a buy-low upside play makes sense. The Brewers already have a backlog of optionable athletic outfielders, and Giants players like Bart, Austin Slater, and J.D. Davis could all address immediate needs. There seems to be many ways for the two sides to workout a swap, including something closer to a blockbuster that brings Adames or Burnes to San Francisco.

5 most likely trade fits for SF Giants catcher Joey Bart:
5. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox already signed former Giants catcher Roberto Pérez to a minor-league contract to compete with Connor Wong and Reese McGuire next spring. Nevertheless, McGuire and Wong have both been fine, but unexceptional. If there's an evaluator in the Red Sox front office that was once high on Bart, they may be interested in buying low and betting on his ability to turn his power into plenty of home runs over The Green Monster.