The never-ending quest for depth continues, and on Saturday the Dodgers claimed outfielder Jack Suwinski off waivers from the Pirates.
Suwinski was designated for assignment on Monday when the Pirates signed free agent designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, ending a four-year stint in Pittsburgh for Suwinski. Acquired from the Padres in the Adam Frazier deal at the 2021 trade deadline, Suwinski hit 45 home runs with a combined 106 wRC+ in 2022-23, but was below replacement level in each of the last two seasons, hitting just .169/.271/.297 with a 59 wRC+ in 455 plate appearances in 2024-25.
Suwinski with the Pirates spend a little over half his time in center field, and also mixed in time in left field and right field. By Outs Above Average, Suwinsnki in his career is plus-2 in center, minus-3 in right, and minus-6 in left.
Chalk this one up to picking up a player because he became available, with over four weeks to figure out how to use him. The Dodgers before Suwinski had 17 position players on the 40-man roster, but both Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández won’t be ready for opening day. There’s an open battle in camp for second base, as well as multiple bench spots.
The only other center fielders besides starter Andy Pages on the 40-man roster are Michael Siani, who has an option year remaining, and Hyeseong Kim, who has options but is really an infielder by trade and is in the running to play second base. Suwinski is out of options, having used option years in 2022, 2024, and 2025 with the Pirates.
Kiké Hernández was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on the roster for Suwinski. Hernández is coming off left elbow surgery in November.
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