Guardians' John McDonald Believed To Be A Cleveland Managerial Candidate

Cleveland's Minor League Field Coordinator played seven seasons with the team, and has been with the organization's front office and coaching staff since 2015.

The Cleveland Guardians have begun interviewing candidates for their managerial vacancy. While there are many potential candidates outside of the Guardians’ organization, there is an intriguing possible candidate who is in-house.

According to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, the Guardians’ Minor League Field Coordinator, John McDonald, is believed to either interview for the job, or already has.

As a player, McDonald played 16 MLB seasons as an infielder, seven of which were with Cleveland (1999-2005, 2013). After being drafted in the 12th round by the team in 1996, he made his Major League debut for Cleveland in 1999.

McDonald would play 293 games for Cleveland, hitting .229 with 144 hits, 26 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 33 RBI, and six stolen bases.

Jun 16, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (left) and third baseman John McDonald (7) celebrate a 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals at Progressive Field.

© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

In terms of his front office and coaching career, the 49-year-old joined Cleveland in 2015 as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations. Then, for the next two seasons, McDonald served as the organization’s Minor League Infield Coordinator.

He then served as Cleveland’s Minor League Defensive Coordinator for the following two years. After that, in 2020, he began his current role as the Guardians’ Minor League Field Coordinator.

McDonald does have a bit of Major League coaching experience to his name as well. He has filled in as Cleveland’s first-base coach multiple times.

Firstly, he stepped in on May 21st and 22nd, 2019, when Sandy Alomar, Jr. was at a family graduation. Then, in May of 2022, when the Guardians had a COVID-19 outbreak. He has also occasionally served as Cleveland’s first-base coach during spring training.

Given his familiarity with the Guardians’ organization as a player and coach, John McDonald could be a name to watch as Cleveland seeks its next manager.