Piston-type positive displacement machines are used across diverse applications and operating conditions, making it a critical design challenge to balance the minimization of solid-body contact while maintaining efficiency. This study investigates the potential of hydrostatic pockets between the cylinder block and valve plate to provide dynamically and passively controlled pressure forces, mitigating contact issues at low speeds without excessive losses at high speeds. Simulations of a baseline pump design revealed persistent solid-body contact under low-speed and high-pressure conditions, indicating the need for enhanced lubrication strategies. Retaining the baseline design, the study examined multiple hydrostatic pocket configurations through simulation, varying their location and quantity. Although the primary focus is on low-speed high-pressure and high-speed high-pressure scenarios, additional operating points at high-speed low-pressure and medium-speed medium-pressure were also considered. The effectiveness of each design was evaluated on the basis of film thickness, contact pressure, and viscous losses under key operating conditions. The experimental findings from previous studies were used to validate or challenge the conclusions from the simulation results. This paper seeks to deliver a better understanding of the hydrostatic pockets, offering design guidance for optimizing the lubrication management for future piston-type positive displacement machines and informing strategies for improved efficiency and longevity in demanding applications.