When the Pittsburgh Pirates designated Jack Suwinski for assignment, it was like handing him over to the one team in baseball that has a knack for turning overlooked players into postseason legends: the Los Angeles Dodgers, reigning back-to-back World Series champions.
From the Pirates’ perspective, the decision seemed logical. Suwinski had a breakout year in 2023 with 26 home runs, showing serious power potential.
However, the past two years have been a struggle, as persistent swing-and-miss issues kept his strikeout rate above 30 percent. When the homers dried up, so did his overall production.
Yet, baseball isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the stories that unfold. And when the Dodgers are in the mix, fans can’t help but feel a twinge of concern. Known for their ability to transform players like Suwinski by refining swings and adjusting mechanics with cutting-edge data and technology, the Dodgers have a history of turning castoffs into key contributors.
That’s exactly what Pirates fans feared when the Dodgers claimed Suwinski off waivers. What if the Dodgers find the key to unlock his potential in a way Pittsburgh couldn’t?
Sources confirmed the Dodgers’ claim on Suwinski, sparking speculation that he might become their next reclamation project.
If Suwinski can reduce his strikeouts and rediscover his power, he could easily find a spot in a platoon role against right-handed pitching with the Dodgers. And if that happens, Pirates fans might not take it lightly.
The Pirates have long asked their fans for patience during a rebuild focused on development and internal growth. Seeing a former Pirate thrive with baseball’s wealthiest and most analytically advanced team would sting, reinforcing fears that the Pirates are just grooming talent for others to polish.
To be fair, Suwinski’s challenges are genuine. High strikeout hitters have little room for error, and pitchers exploited weaknesses in his swing, particularly against high velocity and breaking balls.
The Pirates gave him ample chances over multiple seasons to adjust. Eventually, roster flexibility had to take precedence over potential.
However, context is key. The Dodgers aren’t in rebuild mode.
They don’t need Suwinski to become a star; they just need him to be useful. And if October rolls around and Suwinski, once a DFA casualty, hits a crucial postseason home run in Dodger blue, the reaction in Pittsburgh will be anything but quiet.
It’ll be loud and emotional, adding to a narrative Pirates fans are eager to see change.
For now, it’s just a waiver claim. But if the Dodgers turn Jack Suwinski into their next success story? Don’t be surprised if the reverberations reach all the way back to the Allegheny River.