Rob

Mackowiak

As a first-time arbitration-eligible player, Mackowiak is probably safe. Meadows and Ward aren’t.

The Pirates should consider trading for a third baseman (Adrian Beltre? Morgan Ensberg?), as most of the free agents are past their primes. If they can’t acquire a young third baseman, starting Freddy Sanchez at third base and Bobby Hill at second would be a better option than using Mackowiak as a regular.

Mackowiak will be ready for spring training. He currently tops the depth chart at third base for the Pirates, but the team will try to upgrade this winter.

Mackowiak got the start yesterday, while Stynes sat after starting the season 0-for-12. Taking about Mackowiak, Pirates manager Lloyd McLendon said, “Who knows? Maybe he will grow into an everyday player... You produce, you play. Playing time is dictated by performace.”

“I feel great,” Mackowiak said. “I just wish, in hindsight, I would have had the surgery sooner than I did. If I knew I was going to feel this good, I would have had it done right away.” Mackowiak figures to have a limited role as a utilityman this season, though if he outplays Chris Stynes over the first couple of months, there’s a chance he could take over as a regualar at third base.

Mackowiak declared himself 100 percent a month ago, but it appears that Pirates doctors disagreed with his assessment. Mackowiak has been hitting and taking part in less stressful drills since the start of camp. He should be fine.

Mackowiak was awful with Pittsburgh in the early season, and he wasn’t any better with Nashville. His playing time will only increase if Reggie Sanders is moved today, so he might have a chance to keep his hot streak going.

It was a three-run shot off the rehabbing Adam Eaton. Mackowiak had been batting .169 with five RBI in 77 at-bats since the beginning of July. Just like last year, it seems that one big month will lead to a season of starts against right-handers.

An injury is the only thing that can take the slumping Mackowiak out of the lineup versus righties. If he’s going to miss some time, Freddy Sanchez will benefit.

He’s batting cleanup even though he’s hitting .194 with one home run and nine RBI in 93 at-bats since the start of July.