Pirates linked to Orioles' 1.018 OPS All-Star for Joey Bart, Henry Davis reason

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Pirates linked to Orioles' 1.018 OPS All-Star for Joey Bart, Henry Davis reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

If there's one thing that cannot be said about the Pittsburgh Pirates' offseason, it is that they didn't try to improve the roster.

Because clearly, they did. Particularly on offense to help get Paul Skenes and the pitching staff some better run support.

Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn have been fantastic additions to the lineup, even though Marcell Ozuna's performance at the plate (.467 OPS) is less than ideal.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller noted Thursday that they could use an upgrade at catcher. There are two names he linked to the Pirates.

"Between Joey Bart and Henry Davis, 'Pirates catcher' has to be one of the five least productive lineup spots in the majors this season," Miller wrote. "But Minnesota's Ryan Jeffers is very likely to be available, and Baltimore's Adley Rutschman might be gettable if the Orioles bottom out. Pittsburgh will improve its backstop situation."

Rutschman would be a fantastic addition for the Orioles, who could make Samuel Basallo the full-time starting backstop in the event of a trade.

MORE: This might be the weirdest way to get an inside-the-park HR

He's dealt with injuries, but Rutschman is off to a hot start with the bat. In 60 trips to the plate, the two-time All-Star is hitting .345/.400/.618 with three home runs and a 1.018 OPS. That's not the largest sample size, but it's not small either.

Trading for Rutschman may not make the Pirates World Series contenders, but it would show the fan base that they are committed to turning the organization in the right direction.

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