Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-28
BASE BALL TRADES,
The Washington Club After a Gin
cinnRti In6elder.

Harry Weldon of the Cincinnati Enquirer
had the following in yesterdays paper:
The Cincinnati club can make trade at
the annual meeting in New York this year
If it cares to. The Washington club is more
than anxious to open negotiations with the
Reds They want a Cincinnati infielder, and
they are willing 10 part with two of their
star players to get him.
While at the big fight in New York city
last week [ was told on good authority that
| the Washington club would make a great
effort to induce the Reds to part with at
least one of their star players
The Washington club will give Winnie
Mercer, its crack pitcher, and Jimmie Nc
CURE, the hard-hitting catcher, for either
Charlie IRWIN or Harry Steinfeidt of the
Reds. This L get from gentleman very
close to the management of the Washington
club
The Washington club must have third
baseman if it expects 10 do anything next
season." said this gentleman. 1T will go
a good ways to get hold of a good man. Ar
thur Irwin doesn't care so much about a
third baseman being a hard hitter. What
! he wants is a fine fielder in the position
Third base is the hardest place to play on
the team. If a player fields the position
well you can carry him. no matter how poor
showing he may make with the stick
Charlie Irwin or Harry Steinfeldt will suit
the Washington club. I am pretty close TO
Irwin. and L know he would give both Mer-
Ger and Mcclure to get either one of these
players. l have it pretty straight that Lave
Cross of the st. Louis Browns will be with
/ the Reds next year. If he is the Cincinnati
club will not have use for both Irwin and
Steinfeidt. They Will certainly release one
OF the three. IT it does Washington will
give it the two men L have mentioned"
The statement that Cross is to be with
the Reds must be taken with grain OF
allowance. There was some talk month
ago that Cross was to come to the Cincin-
natl OF late hing has saii
in this connection. 1t is hardly probable
that the deal will be made. Cincinnati was
handicapped by a poor third baseman for u
long time. You may be sure that Captain
Ewing will not part with either Irwin or
Stelnfcldt unless he has man like Lave
Cross to fill the vacancy.
1t Is my opinion that the Reds have very
little chance of getting Cross. However
such deal Is possible. Winnie Mercer is
a great ball player. He is splendid
pitcher and one OF the best men on the
inside in the National League. Mcclure
is also a valuable player. However, The
Cincinnati team is not in need of pitching
talent. The team already has the best
pitching corps in America. HawIey, Taylor,
Dwyer Breitenstein and Dammann are the
best quintet on the roster of any one club
in the league.
Charlie Irwin has always been one of the
best fielding third baSemen in the league
Every year he rates up with Collins, Nc
Graw, Wallace and the other stars of the
league in fielding. Last year was an off
one for him IN batting. Every player has
off time" with the stick. Next year
Irwin may hit at his old stride. 1t would
be folly to release him unless another star
is available.
AS 10 Harry Steinfeldt it would be sui
cidal for the Cincinnati club to release him.
He is one of the most popular players that
ever wore a uniform. Where is there an
other utility man like MIN? He played third,
short and second here last season, and
while he played every position in sensation
al style, it is hard to say which place he
played the best,
Washington may want to make the trade
but l hardly think it will go through.