Chalk this move up as strange: the Phillies acquired 38-year old infielder John McDonald from Cleveland for a player to be named later or cash. It doesn’t take advanced statistics to show that McDonald has been ineffective this season. McDonald has hit just .053/.163/.079 in 43 PA and will join his third team this season. In case you are wondering, that triple slash line is worth -0.7 fWAR, an amazing accumulation of negative value in such a short span. His -0.7 WAR to 43 PA comparison makes him literally the least valuable player per PA in the Majors this season.
The most curious part of this move: who does McDonald replace? Will the Phillies send Freddy Galvis to Triple-A to get regular at-bats? Is a Chase Utley or Michael Young trade eminent? McDonald will join the team in LA and join the 25-man roster. No corresponding move has been announced.
