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amead17 · 01-26-2026, 12:58 PM

EARLY OFF-SEASON TRADING SETS THE STAGE FOR WINTER MOVES

By Arthur H. Leland, Sporting Times
December 12th, 1915

Though the playing season has long since closed, the game itself has shown no inclination to rest. The off season has opened with a lively exchange of players, as clubs moved swiftly in the weeks following the campaign’s end to reshape their rosters before turning their attention to the mid-December draft.

The first notable transaction came on October 20th, when the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers completed a substantial exchange. Cincinnati sent left-handed pitcher George Mogridge and third baseman John Kelleher to Detroit, receiving right-hander Doc Ayers and third baseman Wally Gerber in return. Ayers arrives in Cincinnati after a heavy workload last season, posting a 25–16 record from thirty-nine starts and fifty-six appearances with a 2.69 earned run average. Mogridge, meanwhile, moves to Detroit after compiling a 4–1 mark across three starts and thirty-six games with a 3.16 ERA.

Two days later, on October 22nd, the Brooklyn Robins dealt right fielder Larry Gilbert and catcher Gil Whitehouse to the New York Yankees in exchange for shortstop Tony Smith. This move was regarded as a trade of reserves, with neither club surrendering a central figure from its regular lineup.

The Philadelphia Phillies were next to act, sending shortstop Bill Wambsganss to the Boston Red Sox on October 27th. In return, the Phillies acquired veteran right-hander Alex Pearson and younger pitcher Bert Gallia. Gallia brings with him a demanding season’s experience, having gone 19–18 across thirty-nine starts and fifty-six total appearances with a 2.55 ERA. Pearson appeared sparingly, posting a 3–1 record in relief with a 4.40 ERA.

On October 29th, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees struck a deal involving everyday players. Chicago sent first baseman Jay Kirke to New York after a season in which he batted .299 across one hundred fifty-one games. The Cubs received two outfielders in return, Les Mann and Chick Davies. Mann hit .246 over one hundred fifty-two games last year, while Davies joins Chicago as another youthful option in the outfield.

The final day of October brought two more exchanges. The Yankees dealt second baseman Bert Niehoff to the Cleveland Indians for right-handed pitcher Paul Carter in another trade of reserves. On the same day, the Phillies sent left-hander Chet Hoff and outfielder Dan Costello to the Pittsburgh Pirates, receiving right-hander Jimmy Lavender. Hoff impressed in limited opportunities last season, going 7–2 with a 2.39 ERA, while Lavender arrives in Philadelphia after logging a 14–15 record and a 3.00 ERA over an extensive workload.

The most recent move came on November 28th, when the St. Louis Browns traded catcher Dan Kennard to the Chicago White Sox. In return, St. Louis acquired left-handed pitcher Rube Benton and shortstop Billy Orr. Benton worked chiefly in relief last season, posting a 3–5 record with a 3.34 ERA.

With these early maneuvers completed, clubs now turn their gaze toward the coming draft, weighing whether further changes are needed or if the pieces already acquired will be enough to alter their fortunes when the game resumes in the spring.

01-26-2026, 12:58 PM	#702
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,288	EARLY OFF-SEASON TRADING SETS THE STAGE FOR WINTER MOVES By Arthur H. Leland, Sporting Times December 12th, 1915 Though the playing season has long since closed, the game itself has shown no inclination to rest. The off season has opened with a lively exchange of players, as clubs moved swiftly in the weeks following the campaign’s end to reshape their rosters before turning their attention to the mid-December draft. The first notable transaction came on October 20th, when the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers completed a substantial exchange. Cincinnati sent left-handed pitcher George Mogridge and third baseman John Kelleher to Detroit, receiving right-hander Doc Ayers and third baseman Wally Gerber in return. Ayers arrives in Cincinnati after a heavy workload last season, posting a 25–16 record from thirty-nine starts and fifty-six appearances with a 2.69 earned run average. Mogridge, meanwhile, moves to Detroit after compiling a 4–1 mark across three starts and thirty-six games with a 3.16 ERA. Two days later, on October 22nd, the Brooklyn Robins dealt right fielder Larry Gilbert and catcher Gil Whitehouse to the New York Yankees in exchange for shortstop Tony Smith. This move was regarded as a trade of reserves, with neither club surrendering a central figure from its regular lineup. The Philadelphia Phillies were next to act, sending shortstop Bill Wambsganss to the Boston Red Sox on October 27th. In return, the Phillies acquired veteran right-hander Alex Pearson and younger pitcher Bert Gallia. Gallia brings with him a demanding season’s experience, having gone 19–18 across thirty-nine starts and fifty-six total appearances with a 2.55 ERA. Pearson appeared sparingly, posting a 3–1 record in relief with a 4.40 ERA. On October 29th, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees struck a deal involving everyday players. Chicago sent first baseman Jay Kirke to New York after a season in which he batted .299 across one hundred fifty-one games. The Cubs received two outfielders in return, Les Mann and Chick Davies. Mann hit .246 over one hundred fifty-two games last year, while Davies joins Chicago as another youthful option in the outfield. The final day of October brought two more exchanges. The Yankees dealt second baseman Bert Niehoff to the Cleveland Indians for right-handed pitcher Paul Carter in another trade of reserves. On the same day, the Phillies sent left-hander Chet Hoff and outfielder Dan Costello to the Pittsburgh Pirates, receiving right-hander Jimmy Lavender. Hoff impressed in limited opportunities last season, going 7–2 with a 2.39 ERA, while Lavender arrives in Philadelphia after logging a 14–15 record and a 3.00 ERA over an extensive workload. The most recent move came on November 28th, when the St. Louis Browns traded catcher Dan Kennard to the Chicago White Sox. In return, St. Louis acquired left-handed pitcher Rube Benton and shortstop Billy Orr. Benton worked chiefly in relief last season, posting a 3–5 record with a 3.34 ERA. With these early maneuvers completed, clubs now turn their gaze toward the coming draft, weighing whether further changes are needed or if the pieces already acquired will be enough to alter their fortunes when the game resumes in the spring.