BRADENTON, Fla. — Jack Suwinski worried about the future. How could he not?

It was early November, a few weeks from the non-tender deadline. Coming off a two-year stretch during which he hit just .169, struck out 30% of the time and was seventh worst throughout MLB in FanGraphs’ calculation of wins above replacement (minus-1.7), Suwinski didn’t necessarily expect a new contract with the Pirates.

But when the two sides agreed on a one-year deal worth $1.25 million, Suwinski was thrilled. He thought he would get a chance to finally make it work in Pittsburgh, something that he’s been chasing for years and framed his offseason work.

“I didn’t want to leave any stone unturned,” Suwinski told the Post-Gazette earlier this spring. “I want to do everything I can to play as long as I can.”

That almost assuredly won’t happen in Pittsburgh, as the Pirates designated Suwinski for assignment on Monday to make room for Marcell Ozuna. Given his previous production and potential, including 45 home runs in his first two seasons, it would be surprising if another team didn’t claim Suwinski, likely triggering a trade.

Here’s hoping Suwinski lands on his feet — because he deserves it. Just a grounded, likable person.

We’ve chatted about thrifting and faith. A few years ago, I was with my family and Suwinski and his fiancee (now wife) at Pier 22 in Bradenton, Fla. Normally in those situations, there’s no way I’d approach a player; they’re off the clock and deserve space. In this case, Suwinski rendered that moot, initiating and making the necessary introductions himself.

Around the clubhouse, there are nothing but positive reviews. Good teammate. He cares. Humble. Works extremely hard. And is an uncomfortable at-bat for pitchers.

None of it outweighs the lack of production, obviously. Suwinski has a .568 OPS since that 2023 season, plus a maddening proclivity to watch third strikes.

Removing him from the roster makes sense. I just fail to understand why that decision came now and not in November.

As far as Suwinski’s future, you can’t help but root for the kid. It’s in there.

Whichever team can bring it out will get a left-handed bat with a bunch of power, a player who might be miscast in center field but who’s been serviceable in the corner spots.

It’s a knot right now. There are also teams capable of untangling it, and Suwinski started that process this winter.

Also in November, he met with the Pirates hitting department about necessary changes. There were obviously a lot. They examined his load and turn, getting behind the ball and staying through it for longer. It was a swing deficiency that produced at least some of the chase that has plagued Suwinski.

Back in his native Chicago, Suwinski worked on turning using PVC pipe, then a few different types of tees, trying to perfect the movement of creating more space between his hips and swing, his bat staying on plane longer.

“My approach, too,” Suwinski added. “A lot of stuff we believed would bring out the best player in me.”

Given the amount of vitriol that has surrounded him due to some pretty profound struggles, that offseason work also included “a deep dive into yourself … more non-baseball or just human-being life.”

I’ll translate: learning how to tune out the crap.

It’s reality for every one of these guys. They’re fair game for criticism, especially when they don’t perform. And Suwinski wasn’t complaining about this aspect whatsoever. He gets it and knows he hasn’t been good.

But managing the mental side of things, the same as keeping your bat on plane for longer or sticking to a specific approach, is a learned trait, which is why Suwinski this offseason sought help from a mental skills coach.

“That’s where the adjustment is going to be,” Suwinski said confidently.

The work centered around creating new daily habits and being more intentional about allowing certain thoughts and tuning out external noise. It’s also something Suwinski, who served as the Pirates’ team chaplain, prayed about a bunch.

“For me, it’s a faith thing,” Suwinski said. “Just believing that God has great plans for me. If I’m here, he wants me here. Things might change. I might not have control over that. I think it’s being able to release that control.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about [a lack of job security]. Nothing’s guaranteed. But it’s doing everything I can the right way every day to believe in that, to believe in myself and do my best to impact the team.”

Suwinski should’ve enjoyed a change of scenery back in November. But his spot also seemed to be a safe bet as one where the Pirates would try to improve — and they did. Nothing wrong with that given how poorly he’s performed.

Suwinski also doesn’t deserve the level of online hate he’s received. Criticize when effort lacks, certainly. Poor production is fine, too. Tickets are expensive, and these guys make a lot. But some of the Suwinski stuff I saw crossed a line.

He’s a genuinely good person who’s been doing everything he possibly can to make it work. Here’s hoping the grass really is greener for Suwinski somewhere else.

“It’s hard, for sure,” Suwinski said, talking about the constant criticism. “There are a lot of eyes on you. A lot of people love baseball, so a lot of people talk. It’s just another thing — getting rid of that external noise. It’s easier said than done.

“Believing is easier said than done. But you have to find a way. That’s part of it, too.”

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