The San Francisco Giants are mulling the future with catcher Joey Bart. The former second-overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft is now out of options and is unlikely to make the roster for Opening Day. Patrick Bailey is poised to be the primary backstop after last year’s stellar campaign. The Giants also signed Tom Murphy to back up Bailey and have Blake Sabol on the 40-man roster. A spring injury could always open the door for Bart, but that is a long shot for that to happen.
Joey Bart Is Out of Options
Bart has hit .219/.288/.335 in 503 major league plate appearances. His strikeout rate was a robust 35.4%, and his work with Triple-A Sacramento wasn’t up to par. He boasted a .274/.357/.434 slash over the last three years with the River Cats. His 97 wRC+ was below average, and his 28.3% strikeout rate at that level is on the high side, too. Despite the ups and downs of his tenure in San Francisco, it’s a win-win situation for Bart. He either makes the Giants’ roster, or he’ll get a fresh start somewhere else.
It’s something Bart is aware of. “I try not to look out too far ahead,” Bart said to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I can only control what I can control, otherwise you can go off too many places mentally and that wouldn’t put me in the position to be my best. I’m just going to get after it and have fun and have a good spring.”
Likely Landing Spots for the Catcher
With Bailey being the long-term answer, Bart will be floated around as a trade candidate heading into the season. San Francisco never found an offer to part with him as they held on to him as minor league depth. Last season was Bart’s final option year, meaning the Giants can’t send him back to Triple-A without first exposing him to waivers. While his stock has fallen drastically, San Francisco could run him through waivers. Some clubs that could be landing spots are the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, or the Tampa Bay Rays.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are going into camp with competition for the backup job behind Gabriel Moreno. They also have Tucker Barnhart and Ronaldo Hernández on minor-league deals. Arizona is trying to push José Herrera, who is on the 40-man roster but owns a .198/.272/.231 slash line at the major league level.
Miami Marlins
Miami made one addition behind the plate when they acquired Christian Bethancourt from the Cleveland Guaridns. He joins Nick Fortes, who hit .204/.263/.299 last season, as the only catchers on the 40-man roster. The Marlins could be okay with Bethancourt and Fortes as their tandem, but adding Bart could come at a minimal cost.
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay waiving Bethancourt leaves René Pinto as the only backstop on their 40-man roster. Both Rob Brantly and Alex Jackson are in the organization as non-roster players. It’s clear that the Rays need more catching depth. Given Bart’s major league experience, it could be a one-for-one swap for Bart, but there are plenty of roads to get a deal done.
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