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SPORTING TIMES — DECEMBER 12, 1909

By Charles H. Wentworth & Arthur H. Leland

QUIET MARKET STIRS AT LAST: FOUR TRADES MARK A MUTED OFFSEASON

The winter months have brought an uncommonly still air over the major league trading halls, with clubs across both circuits keeping their counsel as the annual draft approaches. Save for a handful of modest player shifts — four in total — the market remains hushed, and even the rumour mills have scarcely turned. Still, among the few transactions completed, one looms large: the relocation of newly crowned National League Pitcher of the Year Frank Smith.

Boston and Chicago Swap Youth for Experience

On October 29th, the Boston Red Sox moved 24-year-old right-hander Ed Summers to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for 42-year-old shortstop Frank Shugart. Summers, coming off a 5–6 mark in ten starts with a 3.17 earned run average, expressed surprise at the deal.
“Baseball doesn’t give a fellow much warning,” Summers remarked. “But I’ll take the ball wherever they send me.”

Shugart, who hit .256 across eight starts and sixty-eight total appearances, offered a veteran’s composure.
“At my age, you play where you’re needed,” he said. “If Boston thinks I can steady their infield, then that’s what I aim to do.”

Senators and White Sox Complete Outfield–Pitching Exchange

November 2nd saw the Washington Senators send 28-year-old center fielder Al Shaw to Chicago in return for 25-year-old pitcher Eddie Cicotte and 22-year-old left fielder Bob Coulson. Shaw, who hit .231 in limited starting action across 113 appearances, was candid about the move.
“Chicago wanted me, and that says something,” Shaw noted. “I plan to earn that confidence.”

Cicotte, owner of an 8–3 record with a 3.03 ERA last season, spoke optimistically of Washington.
“A pitcher’s job is the same anywhere — get outs,” he said. “If the Senators believe I can help, I’ll give them everything I’ve got.”

Pitcher of the Year Frank Smith Heads to Philadelphia

In the most notable deal thus far, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired 30-year-old ace Frank Smith — fresh off a brilliant 27–14 campaign with a 1.58 ERA — sending 27-year-old third baseman Harry Lord to the Chicago Cubs on November 12th. Lord, who hit .279 over 127 starts, accepted the change with professionalism.
“Chicago’s a club with ambitions,” he said. “If I can be a part of that, all the better.”

Smith, coming off his award-winning season, was succinct.
“My duty is to pitch,” he offered. “Philadelphia gives me a new stage to do it on.”

Boston and Cincinnati Swap Bescher for Morgan

The final transaction came on December 6th, as Boston traded 25-year-old left fielder Bob Bescher to the Cincinnati Reds for 31-year-old right-hander Cy Morgan. Bescher, who hit .242 in seventy pinch-hit appearances, expressed gratitude for a fresh opportunity.
“Playing time is what every man wants,” Bescher said. “I hope Cincinnati gives me the chance to show more.”

Morgan, the veteran arm heading to Boston, merely smiled when asked for comment.
“A pitcher’s arm doesn’t care what city it’s in,” he quipped. “Just give me the mound.”

Though the market remains quiet, these early moves suggest that clubs are positioning themselves carefully before the draft reshapes the landscape. Whether more fireworks await remains to be seen — but for now, the winter dealings continue in a deliberate, measured cadence befitting the close of the 1909 season.