John McDonald

49-Year-Old Third Baseman3B

Free Agent

2024 Stats

AVG

.000

RBI

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for John McDonald in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man no

Height 5'9"

Weight 181

DOB 9/24/1974

Born New London, CT

College Providence

Drafted 12th Rd 1996 CLE

3BFree Agent

January 7, 2015

McDonald has decided to retire from baseball.

ANALYSIS
McDonald has played in the majors dating back to 1999 with the Indians, batting .233/.273/.323 with 28 home runs and 110 RBI over the course of his career. Although he wasn't a full-time player, he spent a lot of time in the majors over the years as a utility infielder.

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After a four-team trip around the majors in 2013, McDonald played 95 games with the Angels in 2014, his highest total since appearing in 123 contests for the Blue Jays in 2007. The 40-year-old was used mostly as a defensive specialist, however, seeing just 91 plate appearances in that time, tallying a .171/.256/.197 line. McDonald opted for free agency in October after being left off the postseason roster, and he's believed to be considering retirement. If he does try and test the market this offseason, McDonald would likely attract the attention of teams who would look to use him in a similar capacity as the Angels in 2014. Even if he were to get a few more at-bats, however, it is worth noting that he carries a .596 career OPS, with a batting average of .233 in over 2,600 plate appearances.

McDonald appeared in 51 games for four different teams in 2013, finishing with the Red Sox and getting himself a World Series ring. McDonald has never had much of a bat, but his ability to play multiple infield positions netted him a minor league deal with the Angels in January. His defensive versatility gives him a good chance to make the big club in a reserve role, as the Angels' infield spent a lot of time on the disabled list last season.

McDonald appeared in 70 games for Arizona last season, getting a bit more playing time than expected with Stephen Drew's slow recovery from ankle surgery as well as the injury woes of replacement shortstop Willie Bloomquist. The story remains the same for McDonald: he's a glove-first option best suited to come off the bench as a late-inning defensive replacement. Considering that he matched his career-high by hitting six homers over 213 plate appearances, there's very little to get excited about as he enters his age-38 season. His only paths to a similar amount of playing time in 2013 will require another injury or two ahead of him on the depth chart, or a trade elsewhere to a team in dire need of defense in the middle infield.

While McDonald has earned the reputation of being an elite defensive player, a weak bat has kept him in a reserve role throughout his time in the big leagues. The D-Backs were pleased with his work after acquiring him from Toronto in the Aaron Hill-Kelly Johnson swap in August and signed him to a two-year deal to provide depth behind Stephen Drew. Even if McDonald has an opportunity to work as a starter to open the year while Drew recovers from a fractured ankle and hernia surgery, his career .238/.275/.326 slash line tells the entire story of what he can provide with the bat.

McDonald's glove has kept him earning a big league paycheck for parts of 12 years now, but his bat just doesn't offer anything worth your trouble even if he were forced into a full-time role. He did manage to homer in one of his first games back following the death of his father, so there's something to be said for his perseverance. He'll be back as the team's backup shortstop following a .250/6/23 season with the Jays.

McDonald re-upped with the Jays with a two-year, $3 million deal as the team desperately attempts to fill a gaping hole at shortstop after the departure of Marco Scutaro. McDonald's glove helps out the pitching staff but his bat is woefully inadequate in all formats, so the Jays signed Alex Gonzalez to handle the starting job.

At this point, he'd probably be better served starting up a family farm, but if you can hit .210/.255/.269 and still collect a paycheck, who are we to begrudge? His bat has never been passable, but McDonald flashes enough leather to hold down a bench spot. There's no reason to have him on your fantasy team.

Toronto liked his glove enough to give McDonald a two-year contract that will ensure a regular spot in the lineup despite a poor bat (.251/.279/.333). Those in leagues that count OBP and SLG will want to stay further away given the lethal combination of lots of at-bats and no pop.

McDonald found himself the starting shortstop once Russ Adams was removed from the equation, and he basically stunk. The funny part? Toronto actually wants him back after having signed Royce Clayton. You'll want to distance yourself from any and all McDonald at-bats in 2007.

McDonald split time between Toronto and Detroit in a utility role last season. He was traded back to Toronto this winter where he will assume his old role with Blue Jays.

McDonald, another prospect from the Indians minor league system, has failed to find any consistency at the plate in his time in the majors. He's known for swinging away at bad pitches, but is praised for his defensive play at shortstop and second base. Now with the Blue Jays.

Already limited by a chronic back injury, McDonald also needed microfracture surgery to repair an ailing knee in 2003. This is the same injury that the Denver Broncos' Terrell Davis had as a last-ditch effort to save his NFL career. The stakes weren't quite so high in this case - McDonald's major league career OPS is .540, and his OBP is .261.

No patience, no speed, no power, no thanks.

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