Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-25
DEALS BENEFICIAL
TO WEAKER CLUBS
First-Division Teams Not
BoIStered Greatly by
Of-SeaSon Shifts.
BY ORLO L. ROBERTSON.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

- HICAGO. January 25.-With
revamped inflelds more or less
uncertain outfields and likely
~ looking new corners among bat
terry men, the American League
this year assumes the aspect OF a one
ring circus with the New York Yankees
the ringmaster.
Although the off-Season was produc-
tive Of deals designed to improve the
various clubs it remains to be seen
whether the changes have been for the
better. On paper the trades seem to
have struck a more even balance among
the entries.
The weaker clubs seem to have been
strengthened while the first division
teams activities in the market appar-
emily have not bolstered their lineups TO
any great extent.
The New York Yankees have picked
up promising rookie pitchers in Ed
Wells of Birmingham, Gordon Rhodes
of Hollywood and Floyd Van Pelt of
Montgomery, but they will enter the
race with revamped left side of the
infield an aging outfield and an uncer-
tain pitching staff that crumbled near
the close of the 1928 season. Mark
Koenig probably will be shifted to third
with either Leo Durocher, the fiery little
second baseman, or Lyn Larry, Oakland
Rookie, getting the call at shortstop.
AS Have Added Rockies.
The Philadelphia Athletics have
and Summa veteran outfielder, be-
tween the seasons, while the st. Louis
Browns acquisitions consist largely OF
hurler and reserve material.
The Browns made big play in COM
ing up from seventh to third place in
one season, but they were 10 games out
of first place last year when the YAM
KEGS noSed out the Athletics. Dick Fer
rell, Columbus catcher, made a free
agent by Commissioner Lands, is the
real important addition to the Howley
team. He made get the regular receiv-
ing berth.
Walter Johnson is counting on lot
of young pitchers and Buddy Myer,
bought back from Boston for five play
ers, to make his first year at Washing
ton a successes. The big Train" also
will have an infield problem, Joe Judge
being the only certainty and he is grow
ing old.
The Chicago White Sox have their
usual cavity at second base, with no
promising prospect. Second base is not
the only problem facing Manager Lena
Blackburne. He has nine aSpirants for
the outf1eld, weak catching StaH TO
bolster and the improvement of Bill
Cissell at short.
In contrast to the White SoX, Bucky
Harris is going into his first year as
manager of the Tigers with few Ifs"
Bucky is a great manager, with new
club, and, although his tentative lineup
lacks the outfeld punch characteristic
of the Tigers for 25 years, he has a
Woodworking pitching staff strength
ened by the Cleveland ace, Uhle.
Much of the clubs success, however,
depends upon Soluble at shortstop and
Roy johnson, the young West Coast
outfielder.
What Roger Peckinpaugh does with
the Cleveland Indians depends on his
new outfeld. Tavener at shortstop will
help the Indians, but the club needs a
seasoned first baseman and pitchers.
The Boston Red Sox believe they
made an excellent deal in getting rid
of Myer for five Washington players,
including CASTOR, pitcher. Reeves
will be shifted to third base, but there
will be four candidates for shortstop,
two of them converted second basemen.