In a move that’s raising eyebrows across the baseball world, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to claim outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers—a player whose career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this a savvy pickup or a desperate gamble? Let’s dive in.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Dodgers are adding Suwinski to their roster after the Pittsburgh Pirates designated him for assignment earlier this week. The Pirates’ decision came as they needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Marcell Ozuna, a move that effectively ended Suwinski’s tenure with the team. At 27, Suwinski’s journey has been anything but smooth. After a breakout 2023 season, he’s struggled to find his footing over the past two years, bouncing between the majors and Triple-A. While he dominated in the minors with a 150 wRC+, his MLB performance has been underwhelming, posting just a 55 wRC+ in 178 plate appearances last season.
And this is the part most people miss: Suwinski’s decline wasn’t just about bad luck. His swing-and-miss tendencies have been a red flag, with a striking 32% strikeout rate in 2023 despite hitting 26 home runs and stealing 13 bases. Even in his rookie year, he struck out at a 30.6% clip while hitting 19 home runs. While his 12.3% walk rate is impressive, his inability to consistently hit for power in recent seasons has left much to be desired. With the Pirates acquiring outfielders like Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum, and signing Ryan O’Hearn, Suwinski’s chances of contributing were already slim. Ozuna’s arrival as the DH further sealed his fate.
Now, Suwinski heads to the Dodgers, a team already stacked in the outfield with Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages, and Kyle Tucker. But here’s the twist: could Suwinski find a niche role? Pages, a right-handed hitter, has historically performed better against lefties (.831 OPS) than righties (.722 OPS), potentially opening a platoon opportunity. However, Pages’ defensive prowess makes him hard to bench. Suwinski’s own defensive metrics—a concerning -16 Defensive Runs Saved as a center fielder—don’t help his case. His best shot at making the roster might be pushing Alex Call for the fourth outfielder spot.
But here’s the burning question: Can Suwinski rediscover his 2023 form, or is he a fading talent? The Dodgers are betting on the former, but it’s a risky move that could pay off big—or backfire spectacularly. What do you think? Is this a smart acquisition, or are the Dodgers setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know in the comments!
