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Sox Acquire Phillies Infielder John McDonald

By Steve Peterson

Jul 11, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman John McDonald (4) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman John McDonald (4) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Saturday night the Red Sox acquired utility infielder John McDonald and cash considerations from the Phillies in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Nefi Ogando.

Jul 11, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman John McDonald (4) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman John McDonald (4) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

At the age of 38, the New London, CT native and Providence College graduate gets to come back to New England at the end of his long Major League Baseball career.

McDonald , who can play third base, shortstop and second base, will likely be called up as part of the September roster expansion. This season McDonald has played shortstop  in 19 games, third base in 16 games and second base in five games.

To say that McDonald is a journeyman is a bit of an understatement. The Red Sox will be the seventh different team in McDonald’s 15 seasons, including his fourth of 2013. He bounced around the National League, being traded from the Diamondbacks to the Pirates in March and then moved to the American League with the Indians in June  and finally back to the Phillies in the NL just two and a half weeks later. All three transactions were for a player to be named or cash

Red Sox right-handed reliever Alex Wilson was transferred to the 60-day DL to make room for McDonald on the 40-man roster. If this is part of a larger picture then I’m failing to see it. If it’s a straight up spare parts play then I sort of get it but still am wondering how McDonald makes any sort of contribution as the regular season closes.

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