Complex sentence: McDonald took the opportunity as starting shortstop to make some exceptional defensive plays (often in conjunction with fellow infielders Aaron Hill and Lyle Overbay); he was considered by the media to be a Gold Glove contender after leading AL shortstops with a.986 in fielding percentage.
Split into simpler sentences: McDonald took the opportunity as starting shortstop to make some exceptional defensive plays (often in conjunction with fellow infielders Aaron Hill and Lyle Overbay). He was considered by some baseball writers to be a Gold Glove contender after leading AL shortstops with a.986 in fielding percentage.