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amead17 · 02-19-2026, 11:46 AM

BRISK TRADE WINDS SWEEP MAJOR LEAGUES IN EARLY WINTER DEALINGS
Clubs Move With Uncommon Haste to Reshape Rosters for 1918

By Arthur H. Leland, Sporting Times
December 11th 1917

The early weeks of the offseason have been marked by unusual activity in the councils of the major league clubs. Determined to strengthen weak points and rebalance their nines, magnates have engaged in a flurry of transactions seldom witnessed so soon after the close of the campaign. The result has been a greater number of trades than is customary for this stage of the winter.

The first of these exchanges came on October 18th, when the Washington Senators dispatched 22-year-old left fielder Carson Bigbee and 24-year-old southpaw Harry Eccles to the New York Yankees. In return, Washington secured 30-year-old second baseman Bob Fisher, who appeared in 151 contests last season and compiled a .217 batting mark.

A day later, on October 19th, the St. Louis Cardinals parted with 26-year-old first baseman Joe Harris, sending him to the Chicago Cubs for 24-year-old center fielder Bullet Rogan. Harris struck at a .244 clip over 31 starts and 113 games in all last year, while Rogan answered with a .246 average in 92 starts across 106 appearances.

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the market on October 25th, trading 24-year-old left-hander Jim Jeffries to the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, Pittsburgh obtained 36-year-old right-hander Bill Gatewood and 21-year-old right-hander George Dumont. Gatewood shouldered a heavy burden last season, finishing with an 18–17 record and a 3.11 earned run average over 39 starts.

October 31st witnessed another transaction involving the Yankees, who sent 22-year-old right-hander Pete Schneider to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for 30-year-old third baseman Del Paddock. Though limited to just two starts among 42 total appearances, Paddock made them count, striking at a lively .314 rate.

On November 6th, Washington again entered the ledger, transferring 23-year-old catcher Frank Snyder to the Boston Red Sox. The Senators received 30-year-old right-hander Fred Lamlein and 21-year-old right-hander Tom Williams in exchange, a trade involving players who served chiefly as reserves last season.

Six days later, on November 12th, Boston dealt 27-year-old left-hander Dave Danforth to the Chicago White Sox, acquiring 22-year-old catcher Hank DeBerry. Danforth’s ledger for the year showed a 3–7 record over five starts and 28 games in all, accompanied by a sterling 1.29 earned run average.

The Yankees were again active on November 14th, sending 21-year-old catcher Val Picinich to Boston. In return, they obtained 33-year-old right fielder Ray Demmitt and 24-year-old third baseman Milt Stock. Stock saw action in 113 games, including 54 starts, and registered a .246 batting average.

On November 22nd, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Phillies completed an intracity arrangement. The Athletics transferred 23-year-old left fielder Horace Milan and received 32-year-old first baseman Fred Luderus along with $900 in cash. Luderus was a fixture in 152 contests last season, batting .257.

Most recently, on December 10th, the New York Giants traded 31-year-old right-hander Alex Malloy and 24-year-old third baseman Mike McNally to Cincinnati. In return came 22-year-old second baseman Jimmy Smith and 24-year-old left-hander Phil Slattery. Malloy made ten relief appearances last year, posting a 3–1 record and a 2.22 earned run average.

Thus, before winter has fully tightened its grip, the foundations of several clubs have already shifted. Whether these early maneuvers will bear fruit when the clubs next assemble remains to be seen, but there can be no denying that the trade winds have blown strong across the diamond this December.

02-19-2026, 11:46 AM	#783
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,255	BRISK TRADE WINDS SWEEP MAJOR LEAGUES IN EARLY WINTER DEALINGS Clubs Move With Uncommon Haste to Reshape Rosters for 1918 By Arthur H. Leland, Sporting Times December 11th 1917 The early weeks of the offseason have been marked by unusual activity in the councils of the major league clubs. Determined to strengthen weak points and rebalance their nines, magnates have engaged in a flurry of transactions seldom witnessed so soon after the close of the campaign. The result has been a greater number of trades than is customary for this stage of the winter. The first of these exchanges came on October 18th, when the Washington Senators dispatched 22-year-old left fielder Carson Bigbee and 24-year-old southpaw Harry Eccles to the New York Yankees. In return, Washington secured 30-year-old second baseman Bob Fisher, who appeared in 151 contests last season and compiled a .217 batting mark. A day later, on October 19th, the St. Louis Cardinals parted with 26-year-old first baseman Joe Harris, sending him to the Chicago Cubs for 24-year-old center fielder Bullet Rogan. Harris struck at a .244 clip over 31 starts and 113 games in all last year, while Rogan answered with a .246 average in 92 starts across 106 appearances. The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the market on October 25th, trading 24-year-old left-hander Jim Jeffries to the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, Pittsburgh obtained 36-year-old right-hander Bill Gatewood and 21-year-old right-hander George Dumont. Gatewood shouldered a heavy burden last season, finishing with an 18–17 record and a 3.11 earned run average over 39 starts. October 31st witnessed another transaction involving the Yankees, who sent 22-year-old right-hander Pete Schneider to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for 30-year-old third baseman Del Paddock. Though limited to just two starts among 42 total appearances, Paddock made them count, striking at a lively .314 rate. On November 6th, Washington again entered the ledger, transferring 23-year-old catcher Frank Snyder to the Boston Red Sox. The Senators received 30-year-old right-hander Fred Lamlein and 21-year-old right-hander Tom Williams in exchange, a trade involving players who served chiefly as reserves last season. Six days later, on November 12th, Boston dealt 27-year-old left-hander Dave Danforth to the Chicago White Sox, acquiring 22-year-old catcher Hank DeBerry. Danforth’s ledger for the year showed a 3–7 record over five starts and 28 games in all, accompanied by a sterling 1.29 earned run average. The Yankees were again active on November 14th, sending 21-year-old catcher Val Picinich to Boston. In return, they obtained 33-year-old right fielder Ray Demmitt and 24-year-old third baseman Milt Stock. Stock saw action in 113 games, including 54 starts, and registered a .246 batting average. On November 22nd, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Phillies completed an intracity arrangement. The Athletics transferred 23-year-old left fielder Horace Milan and received 32-year-old first baseman Fred Luderus along with $900 in cash. Luderus was a fixture in 152 contests last season, batting .257. Most recently, on December 10th, the New York Giants traded 31-year-old right-hander Alex Malloy and 24-year-old third baseman Mike McNally to Cincinnati. In return came 22-year-old second baseman Jimmy Smith and 24-year-old left-hander Phil Slattery. Malloy made ten relief appearances last year, posting a 3–1 record and a 2.22 earned run average. Thus, before winter has fully tightened its grip, the foundations of several clubs have already shifted. Whether these early maneuvers will bear fruit when the clubs next assemble remains to be seen, but there can be no denying that the trade winds have blown strong across the diamond this December.