Congrats to John McDonald - Makes the team!

[Chuck]

Angels purchased the contract of INF John McDonald from Triple-A Salt Lake.

 

Tim Mead spoke highly of him at our Sunday Dugout session at #AWFanfest14

 

Said that besides being an incredible defender he's an amazing person to have in the clubhouse. 

[Blarg]

We need amazing bats off the bench.

[Barrett]

That's awesome. Team chemistry is under rated in my opinion. This team other than just not having the talent the last couple years. Has sorely missed team chemistry. The wanting to play for one another. I am glad to hear one of the good guys will be in the clubhouse.

[DMVol]

Does that mean Green goes to SLC or could he still make the team?

[fan_since79]

We need amazing bats off the bench.

We also need defense. The Angels were 13th in the AL last year in fielding pct.

[HaloCory22]

Good for him! Hope Matt Long gets the call soon as well.

[Docwaukee]

Does that mean Green goes to SLC or could he still make the team?

 I think he's competing with Stewart as well

[wopphil]

I don't have a problem with this move.  With how good our offense ought to be, we should be able to afford to keep a light-hitting elite defending MIF. 

[Chuck]

Good for him! Hope Matt Long gets the call soon as well.

 

 

I don't have a problem with Long going to AAA and being our first guy up if one of our OF's go down with an injury. 

[Blarg]

I really am not hyped about this like some are. He has bounced around the league and never put in a full season anywhere. He can't hit a baseball or even get on base with a walk. Last season he played for 4 different teams and started in only 16 games. His batting average for the season is abysmal, in fact so bad Mathis is Mickey Mantle in comparison.  

 

I get he is bench depth but honestly a one trick pony is not what you need off the bench. You need super utility guys that can make something happen now and then with their bat or the basepaths like an Izturis. I really don't care what kind of clubhouse guy he is, we need players and as long as they are not pulling a Puig they won't be interfering with every day play. I don't see any value in this guy that you can't get more out of any minor league player.

[fan_since79]

<U>John McDonald's Top 10 Defensive Gems</U>

 

[Quinlanforthewin]

Not sure how 39 year olds on a team are ever something to be excited about, especially when we keep banging the we need to develop young talent drum.  If Green gets cut because of this, I really do not get it.  

[Blarg]

I would rather Stewart and Green make the team and be guys that are rounded players off the bench rather than a 39 year old Mathis. McDonald's defense is not going to push the Angels forward.

[Blarg]

We also need defense. The Angels were 13th in the AL last year in fielding pct.

 

McDonald is not going to start so he will have zero impact on the Angels overall defense. You think he is going to replace Aybar or Kendrick in the starting lineup? No, he will be a late inning defensive replacement for Freese, playing out of position. That has net zero worth. This is a wasted roster space.

[LAAMike]

I like McDonald, but I agree with giving the younger players a chance.  I would like to see our bench consist of players that will help us in two or three years (if not sooner).  With that said I guess our future contributors should be in the minors playing everyday and improving rather than rotting on the bench. 

[Barrett]

I don't know about wasted. An older veteran who can help the younger kids. Be a role model and be someone who can help grow the young kids. Something I don't know that we have had since maybe Hunter left. I don't believe Pujols is a guy who talks to players he seems like a lead by action not by talking. I have no problem with a roster spot that even if its for a little while longer he can help the kids.

[Sherlock31]

Not sure how 39 year olds on a team are ever something to be excited about, especially when we keep banging the we need to develop young talent drum.  If Green gets cut because of this, I really do not get it.  

 

I am totally agree with you.

[Homebrewer]

Hopefully, this is the ONE player that Dipoto "threw a bone" to Scioscia on, for his experience, attitude, and grit.

Lets hope the rest are picked by the FO, and because they are the better baseball players.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Homebrewer

[AngelsFaninGA]

So how long before we get our first Sunday lineup with McDonald playing in place of Howie and hitting 6th?

[Jobu]

So how long before we get our first Sunday lineup with McDonald playing in place of Howie and hitting 6th?

Well it's Tuesday, so...

[Jimmag]

Like it.

[Tyler]

A professional good guy. Sounds like a nice gig.

[Sherlock31]

So how long before we get our first Sunday lineup with McDonald playing in place of Howie and hitting 6th?

 

I guess sooner than you think..........

[Blarg]

Let me go with one more rant then I'm done with the thread. We have 41 year old Ibanez trying to pad his retirement account and although he has shown an ability to run he really hasn't done much with the bat. Every player ages out and Ibanez is certainly looking like that is going to happen this season.

 

McDonald is 38, never able to catch up to MLB pitching so he is defense only. But he is the same age as Jeter and we all have seen his mobility and range decrease over the years, do you think McDonald is immune to being his age?

 

The Angels are making the same mistakes of picking up old veterans on the bench while the A's and Rangers are putting kids on their bench. The oldest position player on the A's last season was Coco Crisp at 33. The oldest guy on the Rangers bench last year was 32.

 

Old guys certainly are calming influence in the clubhouse, kind of like elevator music but nobody really wants to get stuck in an elevator. Their age is an elevator going down, not up. They provide nothing but experience and the higher potential of injury than a 21-25 year old.

 

For experience the Angels can lean on the coaching staff, for production they need guys that can hit, run and produce in every aspect of the game. The Angels need to keep cycling youth through the lineup, not pick up more AARP eligible veterans.

[AngelsFaninGA]

The phrase "can't hit his weight" gets thrown around a lot as hyperbole, but In McDonald's case it is a real issue. He's listed at 180 and he hit .116 last year. 

 

But seriously, Green better not get sent to AAA because of this.