1938 Major League Baseball Transactions

This page is missing Negro League transactions because we do not have that data at this time. Negro Leagues Data: Frequently Asked Questions (NEW)

All Transactions

Transactions listed are from November 1 of previous year to April 1 of the following year. This page is missing Negro League transactions because we do not have that data at this time. Negro Leagues Data: Frequently Asked Questions (NEW)

November 5, 1937

Baltimore (International) purchased Nolen Richardson from the New York Yankees.

The Philadelphia Athletics sent Jesse Hill (November 5, 1937), Bill Conroy (November 5, 1937) and Hal Luby (November 5, 1937) to Oakland (PCL) to complete the trade.
November 9, 1937

The Washington Nationals purchased Jim Hitchcock from the New York Yankees.
November 16, 1937

Baltimore (International) purchased Phil Weintraub from the New York Giants.
December, 1937

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Clem Dreisewerd from the New York Giants in the 1937 minor league draft.

The New York Yankees traded Bob Swift and cash to the St. Louis Browns for Stan Keyes (minors).
December 1, 1937

Louisville (American Association) purchased Ed Madjeski from the New York Giants.

The St. Louis Browns traded Elon Hogsett to the Washington Nationals for Ed Linke.
December 2, 1937

The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Ben Cantwell from the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Nashville (Southern Association) purchased Hub Walker from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Chicago Cubs sent John Bottarini (December 2, 1937) to Memphis (Southern Association) to complete the trade.

The Chicago White Sox traded Vern Kennedy, Tony Piet and Dixie Walker to the Detroit Tigers for Marv Owen, Mike Tresh and Gee Walker.

The Boston Red Sox traded Red Kress, Buster Mills and Bobo Newsom to the St. Louis Browns for Joe Vosmik.
December 3, 1937

The Boston Red Sox purchased Gerard Lipscomb from the St. Louis Browns.

The Chicago Cubs purchased Johnny Moore from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Philadelphia Phillies purchased Emmett Mueller from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Al Smith from the New York Giants.

The Cincinnati Reds traded Eddie Miller and $40,000 to the New York Yankees for Willard Hershberger.
December 4, 1937

The New York Yankees traded Vito Tamulis to the St. Louis Browns for Harry Davis.
December 6, 1937

Montreal (International) purchased Gilly Campbell from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Boston Bees purchased Johnny Niggeling from the New York Yankees.
December 7, 1937

The Boston Red Sox sent Spence Harris (December 9, 1937) to San Diego (PCL) to complete the trade.
December 8, 1937

The Philadelphia Phillies traded Earl Grace to the St. Louis Cardinals for Cap Clark.
December 13, 1937

The Chicago White Sox released Mule Haas.
December 15, 1937

San Francisco (PCL) purchased Lou Koupal from the St. Louis Browns.

The Pittsburgh Pirates traded a player to be named later, Bernard Cobb (minors), Tom Padden and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for Johnny Rizzo. The Pittsburgh Pirates sent Bud Hafey (December 15, 1937) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.
December 22, 1937

Baltimore (International) purchased Orville Jorgens from the Philadelphia Phillies.
December 29, 1937

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Al Smith off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Before 1938 Season

The Boston Bees signed Woody Abernathy as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Browns signed Floyd Baker as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Lou Boudreau as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Al Brancato as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Sam Chapman as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Erv Dusak as an amateur free agent.

The Chicago Cubs signed Jesse Flores as an amateur free agent.

The Detroit Tigers signed Danny Gardella as an amateur free agent.

The New York Giants signed Sid Gordon as an amateur free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Earl Harrist as an amateur free agent.

The Boston Red Sox signed Mickey Harris as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Jim Hegan as an amateur free agent.

The Washington Nationals signed Sid Hudson as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Clyde Kluttz as an amateur free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Al Lakeman as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Bob Lemon as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Eddie Malone as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Stan Musial as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Mel Queen as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Preacher Roe as an amateur free agent.

The Boston Bees signed Mike Sandlock as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Johnny Schmitz as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Browns signed Vern Stephens as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Max Surkont as an amateur free agent.

The Chicago White Sox signed Harry Taylor as an amateur free agent.

The Detroit Tigers signed Virgil Trucks as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Elmer Valo as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Ted Wilks as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Browns signed Al Zarilla as an amateur free agent.

Ed Heusser of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

The Brooklyn Dodgers obtained Bill Crouch from Nashville (Southern Association) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Philadelphia Athletics obtained Les McCrabb from Wilkes-Barre (Eastern) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Cincinnati Reds obtained Pete Naktenis from Albany (Eastern) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Washington Nationals returned Dee Miles to Chattanooga (Southern Association) after expiration of minor league working agreement.

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Harry Brecheen from the Chicago Cubs.

The Cleveland Indians purchased Dixie Howell from Logan (Mountain States).

The St. Louis Cardinals released Red Worthington.

Milo Candini sent from El Paso (Arizona-Texas) to the New York Yankees in an unknown transaction.

Joe Dobson sent from Troy (Alabama-Florida) to the Cleveland Indians in an unknown transaction.

Aaron Robinson sent from Snow Hill (Coastal Plain) to the New York Yankees in an unknown transaction.

Emil Verban sent from the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals in an unknown transaction.

Link Wasem retired from the Boston Bees.

The Philadelphia Athletics released Joe Callahan.

The Boston Bees signed Joe Callahan as a free agent.
January 8, 1938

The Boston Bees released Bob Smith.
January 12, 1938

Toronto (International) purchased Joe Sullivan from the Detroit Tigers.
January 20, 1938

The St. Louis Browns purchased Jim Weaver from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The New York Yankees released Pat Malone.
February 2, 1938

The Cleveland Indians released Lloyd Brown.
February 3, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Kiki Cuyler as a free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds released Bill Hallahan.
February 4, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds purchased Lonny Frey from the Chicago Cubs.
February 5, 1938

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Ray Benge as a free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Guy Bush from the Boston Bees.
February 7, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Bill Hallahan as a free agent.
February 10, 1938

The Cleveland Indians traded Ed Cole, Roy Hughes and Billy Sullivan to the St. Louis Browns for Rollie Hemsley.
February 11, 1938

The Boston Red Sox signed Pat Malone as a free agent.
February 12, 1938

The Chicago White Sox signed Lloyd Brown as a free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Mule Haas as a free agent.
February 15, 1938

The New York Yankees traded Don Heffner and $10,000 to the St. Louis Browns for Bill Knickerbocker.
February 16, 1938

The Boston Bees released Tommy Thevenow.
February 22, 1938

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Tommy Thevenow as a free agent.
February 24, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Jack Radtke.
March 6, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Eddie Morgan and $45,000 to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dolph Camilli.
March 10, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Jim Lindsey.
March 18, 1938

The Chicago White Sox traded Zeke Bonura to the Washington Nationals for Joe Kuhel.
March 24, 1938

The Washington Nationals purchased Tony Giuliani from the St. Louis Browns.

The Boston Bees released William Ford.
March 25, 1938

The Chicago White Sox purchased Ollie Bejma from the St. Louis Browns.
March 31, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Ed Heusser as a free agent.

Mike McCormick of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.

Charley Stanceu of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.
April, 1938

The Washington Nationals signed Mike McCormick as a free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Charley Stanceu as a free agent.
April 1, 1938

Oscar Georgy of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Loy Hanning of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Earl Naylor of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Dave Odom of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Dykes Potter of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Pete Reiser of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Ernie Rudolph of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Ray Thomas of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

Skeeter Webb of the St. Louis Cardinals granted free agency.

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Nick Polly.
April 2, 1938

Ralph Hodgin sent from Beaumont (Texas) to the Boston Bees in an unknown transaction. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
April 3, 1938

The Washington Nationals signed Goose Goslin as a free agent.
April 5, 1938

The Chicago Cubs signed Jack Russell as a free agent.
April 6, 1938

The Cleveland Indians signed Skeeter Webb as a free agent.

The Detroit Tigers released Izzy Goldstein.
April 11, 1938
April 14, 1938

Baltimore (International) purchased Leo Norris from the Philadelphia Phillies.
April 15, 1938

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Loy Hanning as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Earl Naylor as a free agent.

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Dykes Potter as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Pete Reiser as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Ray Thomas as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Ernie Koy from the New York Yankees.
April 16, 1938

The Boston Red Sox purchased Roy Parmelee from the Chicago Cubs.

The St. Louis Cardinals released Chick Fullis.

The Chicago Cubs traded Curt Davis, Clyde Shoun, Tuck Stainback and $185,000 to the St. Louis Cardinals for Dizzy Dean.
April 17, 1938

The Chicago White Sox released Merv Shea. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
April 18, 1938

The St. Louis Cardinals released Ray Benge.

The St. Louis Cardinals released Johnny Cooney.
April 19, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Johnny Cooney as a free agent.
April 20, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds signed Ray Benge as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
April 25, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds purchased Jim Weaver from the St. Louis Browns.

The New York Giants released Don Brennan.
April 26, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics released Warren Huston.
April 29, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics released George Woodend.
May, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Al Javery as an amateur free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The Boston Bees signed Claude Wilborn as an amateur free agent.
May 1, 1938

Memphis (Southern Association) purchased Ed Heusser from the Philadelphia Phillies.
May 2, 1938

The Chicago White Sox purchased Frank Gabler from the Boston Bees.

Syracuse (International) purchased Ted Kleinhans from the Cincinnati Reds.

The New York Giants purchased Tom Winsett from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
May 3, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Merv Shea as a free agent.
May 4, 1938

The Washington Nationals selected Harry Kelley off waivers from the Philadelphia Athletics.
May 7, 1938

The St. Louis Cardinals released Guy Bush.
May 10, 1938

Atlanta (Southern Association) purchased Rusty Peters from the Philadelphia Athletics.
May 11, 1938

Indianapolis (American Association) purchased Johnny Niggeling from the Boston Bees.
May 12, 1938

The Cleveland Indians purchased Roy Johnson from the Boston Bees.
May 14, 1938

The Chicago Cubs purchased Eddie Mayo from the Boston Bees.

The Boston Red Sox released Bob Daughters.

The Philadelphia Phillies released Art Rebel.

The Philadelphia Athletics traded Paul Easterling, Gene Hasson and George Turbeville to the St. Louis Cardinals for Dick Siebert.
May 15, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Waite Hoyt.

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Roy Spencer.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Heinie Manush off waivers from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
May 20, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers selected Vito Tamulis off waivers from the St. Louis Browns.
May 23, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Ray Stoviak as an amateur free agent.

The Boston Bees purchased Tommy Reis from the Philadelphia Phillies.
May 26, 1938

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Earl Browne from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Hal Kelleher from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Philadelphia Phillies released Walter Stephenson.

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Tuck Stainback off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Justin Stein off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
June, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies returned Earl Allen to the Chicago Cubs following previous purchase.

The Philadelphia Phillies released Howie Gorman.
June 1, 1938

The New York Giants signed Oscar Georgy as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
June 4, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics released Doyt Morris.
June 6, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds traded Alex Kampouris to the New York Giants for Wally Berger.
June 9, 1938
June 10, 1938

The Boston Red Sox signed Bill LeFebvre as an amateur free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds released Ray Benge.

The Cincinnati Reds traded Buck Jordan to the Philadelphia Phillies for Justin Stein.
June 11, 1938

The Chicago White Sox traded Bill Cox to the St. Louis Browns for Jack Knott.
June 12, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Dave Smith as an amateur free agent.
June 13, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds traded Virgil Davis, Al Hollingsworth and $50,000 to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bucky Walters.
June 14, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Art Kenney as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Browns released Oscar Melillo.
June 15, 1938

The St. Louis Browns traded Sam West to the Washington Nationals for Mel Almada.
June 19, 1938

The St. Louis Browns released Ethan Allen.
June 20, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Sibby Sisti as an amateur free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
June 24, 1938

The New York Giants purchased Bob Seeds from the New York Yankees.
June 28, 1938

Baltimore (International) purchased Wally Millies from the Washington Nationals.
July, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Art Johnson as a free agent. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

Sig Broskie sent from Welch (Mountain States) to the Boston Bees in an unknown transaction.
July 2, 1938

The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Bud Hafey from the St. Louis Cardinals.
July 7, 1938

The Chicago White Sox signed Gene Ford as a free agent.
July 8, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds selected Woody English off waivers from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
July 9, 1938

The Cleveland Indians purchased Buck Marrow from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
July 11, 1938

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Buddy Blattner as an amateur free agent.

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Whit Wyatt from the Cleveland Indians.

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Gibby Brack to the Philadelphia Phillies for Tuck Stainback.
July 19, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Johnnie Chambers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
July 21, 1938

Justin Stein returned to original team on August 4, 1938.
July 22, 1938

Woody English voluntarily retired from the Cincinnati Reds.
July 26, 1938

The Cincinnati Reds purchased Dick West from Baltimore (International).
July 30, 1938

The Chicago Cubs traded Bob Logan and cash to the Washington Nationals for Vance Page.
August, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Al Veigel as a free agent.

Erie (Middle Atlantic) purchased Mike Balas from the Boston Bees.
August 1, 1938

The Cleveland Indians purchased Joe Gonzales from the Boston Red Sox.

The Boston Red Sox purchased Joe Heving from the Cleveland Indians.

The Boston Bees purchased Joe Stripp from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cincinnati Reds released Kiddo Davis.
August 2, 1938

The St. Louis Browns signed Glenn Liebhardt as a free agent.
August 3, 1938

The New York Giants purchased Johnnie Wittig from Baltimore (International).
August 4, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics purchased Bill Lillard from San Francisco (PCL).
August 6, 1938

The Boston Bees purchased George Diehl from Kingsport (Appalachian).
August 8, 1938

The Boston Bees purchased Buster Bray from Gainesville (Florida State).

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Max Butcher to the Philadelphia Phillies for Wayne LaMaster.
August 9, 1938
August 10, 1938

The Boston Bees traded players to be named later, Gil English, Johnny Riddle and cash to the New York Yankees for Eddie Miller. The Boston Bees sent Tommy Reis (October 27, 1938), Johnny Babich (October 27, 1938) and Vince DiMaggio (February 4, 1939) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
August 11, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded a player to be named later and cash and 2 players to the Cleveland Indians for Charles George. The Brooklyn Dodgers sent Willie Duke (minors) (December 8, 1938) to the Cleveland Indians to complete the trade.
August 12, 1938

The Washington Nationals released Wes Ferrell.

The Boston Red Sox traded Lee Rogers to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Johnnie Chambers.
August 14, 1938

The New York Yankees signed Wes Ferrell as a free agent.

The St. Louis Browns released Glenn Liebhardt.
August 15, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies released Ray Stoviak.
August 16, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics purchased Sam Page from Spartanburg (South Atlantic). (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
August 17, 1938

The Boston Bees traded Tom Kane to the Washington Nationals for Jim Hitchcock.
August 23, 1938

The New York Giants purchased Rube Fischer from Sioux City (Nebraska State).

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded a player to be named later and cash to the Washington Nationals for Fred Sington. The Brooklyn Dodgers sent Johnnie Chambers (January 5, 1939) to the Washington Nationals to complete the trade.
August 28, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics purchased Nick Etten from Atlanta (Southern Association). (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Bennie Warren from Gadsen (Southeastern).
August 31, 1938

The Boston Bees purchased Hank LaManna from Hartford (Eastern). (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)

The Boston Bees purchased Joe Sullivan from Toronto (International).
September, 1938

Hartford (Eastern) purchased Andy Pilney from the Boston Bees. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
September 8, 1938

The Boston Bees signed Bama Rowell as a free agent.

The St. Louis Browns purchased Joe Grace from Memphis (Southern Association).
September 9, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Jake Mooty and Jimmy Outlaw from the Cincinnati Reds.
September 10, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies purchased Jim Henry from the Boston Red Sox.

The Boston Bees purchased Oliver Hill from Atlanta (Southern Association).

The Boston Bees purchased Hank Majeski from the Chicago Cubs.

The St. Louis Browns purchased Lou Tost from Hollywood (PCL).

The Philadelphia Athletics sent plus additional compensation (November 10, 1938) and Ralph Buxton (November 10, 1938) to Oakland (PCL) to complete the trade.

The Brooklyn Dodgers selected Jim Winford off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
September 14, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Don Ross from the Detroit Tigers.

Previous purchase of Jake Mooty and Jimmy Outlaw by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Cincinnati Reds voided and player returned.

The Brooklyn Dodgers selected Ray Hayworth off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.
September 22, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Merv Shea.
October, 1938

The Boston Bees drafted Chet Clemens from Leesburg (Florida State) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.
October 4, 1938

The Philadelphia Athletics drafted Bill Beckmann from Atlanta (Southern Association) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Brooklyn Dodgers drafted Hugh Casey from Memphis (Southern Association) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Brooklyn Dodgers drafted Red Evans from the New York Giants in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Philadelphia Athletics drafted Joe Gantenbein from Toronto (International) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Washington Nationals drafted Charlie Gelbert from the St. Louis Browns in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Bill Kerksieck from Little Rock (Southern Association) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Detroit Tigers drafted Red Lynn from the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Merrill May from the New York Yankees in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Philadelphia Athletics drafted Bill Nagel from Baltimore (International) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Jimmy Outlaw from the Cincinnati Reds in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Philadelphia Athletics drafted Roy Parmelee from the Boston Red Sox in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Philadelphia Athletics drafted Cotton Pippen from the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted LeGrant Scott from Indianapolis (American Association) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.

The St. Louis Browns drafted Hal Spindel from Seattle (PCL) in the 1938 rule 5 draft.
October 5, 1938

The Pittsburgh Pirates released Tommy Thevenow. (Date given is approximate. Exact date is uncertain.)
October 12, 1938

The Boston Bees returned Jim Hitchcock to the Washington Nationals following previous purchase.
October 18, 1938

St Paul (American Association) purchased Frank Gabler from the Chicago White Sox.
October 26, 1938

The New York Yankees traded Joe Glenn and Myril Hoag to the St. Louis Browns for Oral Hildebrand and Buster Mills.
November, 1938

The St. Louis Browns released George Hennessey.
November 5, 1938

Syracuse (International) purchased John Kroner from the Cleveland Indians.
November 19, 1938

The Cleveland Indians purchased Johnny Broaca from the New York Yankees.
December, 1938

Buffalo (International) purchased Joe Cascarella from the Cincinnati Reds.
December 6, 1938

Hollywood (PCL) purchased Bill Cissell from the New York Giants.

Shreveport (Texas) purchased Gene Ford from the Chicago White Sox.

The Boston Red Sox purchased Elon Hogsett from the Washington Nationals.

The Chicago Cubs traded Frank Demaree, Billy Jurges and Ken O'Dea to the New York Giants for Dick Bartell, Hank Leiber and Gus Mancuso.

The Boston Red Sox traded Johnny Marcum to the St. Louis Browns for Tom Carey.
December 7, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies purchased Les Powers from the New York Giants.

The Chicago White Sox purchased Bobby Reis from the Boston Bees.

The Boston Red Sox purchased Phil Weintraub from the Philadelphia Phillies.
December 8, 1938

The Chicago Cubs purchased Ray Harrell from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cincinnati Reds traded Dusty Cooke to the St. Louis Cardinals for Frenchy Bordagaray.
December 10, 1938

The Philadelphia Phillies purchased Jennings Poindexter from Little Rock (Southern Association).

The Chicago Cubs released Tony Lazzeri.

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Tony Lazzeri as a free agent.
December 11, 1938

The New York Giants traded Tom Baker, Jim Carlin and $20,000 to the Washington Nationals for Zeke Bonura.
December 12, 1938
December 13, 1938

Oakland (Pacific Coast) purchased Johnny Vergez from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Lew Krausse and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jimmy Outlaw.

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Fred Frankhouse to the Boston Bees for Joe Stripp.

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Buddy Hassett and Jimmy Outlaw to the Boston Bees for Ira Hutchinson and Gene Moore.
December 14, 1938

Seattle (PCL) purchased Gilly Campbell from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
December 15, 1938

The New York Giants purchased Bill Harris from the Boston Red Sox.

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Coaker Triplett from the Chicago Cubs.

The Boston Red Sox traded Ben Chapman to the Cleveland Indians for Denny Galehouse and Tommy Irwin.

The Boston Red Sox traded Pinky Higgins and Archie McKain to the Detroit Tigers for Elden Auker, Chet Morgan and Jake Wade.
December 16, 1938

The Boston Bees traded Ray Mueller to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Johnny Dickshot, Al Todd and cash.
December 17, 1938

The Washington Nationals purchased Al Williams from the Philadelphia Athletics.
December 19, 1938

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Luke Sewell from the Chicago White Sox.

The Philadelphia Phillies released Bill Hallahan.
December 21, 1938

The Boston Red Sox traded Eric McNair to the Chicago White Sox for Boze Berger.
December 29, 1938

The Boston Bees purchased Al Simmons from the Washington Nationals for $3,000.
Before 1939 Season

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Boom-Boom Beck as a free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Bobby Adams as an amateur free agent.

The Chicago Cubs signed Red Adams as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Ferrell Anderson as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Gene Bearden as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Johnny Blatnik as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Hank Borowy as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Joe Collins as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Browns signed Bob Dillinger as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed George Dockins as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Karl Drews as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Hank Edwards as an amateur free agent.

The Boston Red Sox signed Tommy Fine as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Steve Gromek as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Gene Hermanski as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Billy Hitchcock as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Ralph Houk as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Bill Kennedy as an amateur free agent.

The Detroit Tigers signed Gene Markland as an amateur free agent.

The Washington Nationals signed Walt Masterson as an amateur free agent.

The Detroit Tigers signed George Metkovich as an amateur free agent.

The Detroit Tigers signed Hal Newhouser as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Ron Northey as an amateur free agent.

The Washington Nationals signed Roberto Ortiz as an amateur free agent.

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Johnny Ostrowski as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Johnny Podgajny as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Howie Pollet as an amateur free agent.

The Cleveland Indians signed Allie Reynolds as an amateur free agent.

The Washington Nationals signed Sherry Robertson as an amateur free agent.

The Boston Bees signed Skippy Roberge as an amateur free agent.

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Stan Rojek as an amateur free agent.

The St. Louis Browns signed Fred Sanford as an amateur free agent.

The New York Yankees signed Bud Souchock as an amateur free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Clyde Vollmer as an amateur free agent.

The Chicago Cubs signed Eddie Waitkus as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Jack Wallaesa as an amateur free agent.

The Chicago White Sox signed Jimmy Grant as a free agent.

The Philadelphia Phillies obtained Bobby Bragan from Pensacola (Southeastern) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Boston Bees obtained John Dudra from Owensboro (Kitty) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Chicago White Sox obtained Eddie Lopat from Shreveport (Texas) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Cleveland Indians obtained Sal Maglie from Buffalo (International) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The St. Louis Browns obtained Jim Russell from Beaver Falls (Pennsylvania State Association) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Boston Red Sox returned Phil Weintraub to Minneapolis (American Association) after expiration of minor league working agreement.

The Boston Bees released Woody Abernathy.

The New York Giants released Tom Ferrick.

Ken Holcombe sent from Greensburg (Pennsylvania State Association) to the St. Louis Cardinals in an unknown transaction.

Stan Klopp sent from the Brooklyn Dodgers to ??? in an unknown transaction.

Bill Voiselle sent from Moultrie (Georgia-Florida) to the Boston Red Sox in an unknown transaction.

Hal White sent from Rome (Canadian-American) to the Cleveland Indians in an unknown transaction.

Phil Masi of the Cleveland Indians granted free agency.

The Washington Nationals returned Mike McCormick to Indianapolis (American Association) after expiration of minor league working agreement.

The Cleveland Indians returned Johnny Schmitz to Milwaukee (American Association) after expiration of minor league working agreement.

The Boston Bees signed Phil Masi as a free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds obtained Mike McCormick from Indianapolis (American Association) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Boston Red Sox obtained Pee Wee Reese from Louisville (American Association) as part of a minor league working agreement.

The Chicago Cubs obtained Johnny Schmitz from Milwaukee (American Association) as part of a minor league working agreement.
January 13, 1939

Hollywood (PCL) purchased Harl Maggert from the Boston Bees.
January 14, 1939

The Pittsburgh Pirates released Red Lucas.
January 21, 1939

Syracuse (International) purchased Tommy Heath from the St. Louis Browns.
January 24, 1939

The Chicago Cubs purchased Jim Gleeson from the New York Yankees for $25,000.
February 1, 1939

The Cleveland Indians released Earl Whitehill.
February 2, 1939

Memphis (Southern Association) purchased Tom Lanning from the Philadelphia Phillies.
February 6, 1939

The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Jack LaRocca (minors), Chris Hartje and Kemp Wicker from the New York Yankees for $50,000.
February 10, 1939

The Chicago Cubs purchased Julio Bonetti from the St. Louis Browns.
February 14, 1939

The Chicago Cubs signed Earl Whitehill as a free agent.

The Cincinnati Reds purchased Mel Preibisch from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
February 15, 1939

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed George Susce as a free agent.
February 16, 1939

The Brooklyn Dodgers released Joe Stripp.
February 17, 1939

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Dick Sisler as an amateur free agent.
February 18, 1939

Oklahoma City (Texas) purchased George Dickey from the Boston Red Sox.

The Chicago Cubs purchased Ken Jungels from the Cleveland Indians.
February 23, 1939

The New York Giants purchased Al Glossop from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Chicago Cubs purchased Woody English from the Cincinnati Reds.
March 2, 1939

Minneapolis (American Association) purchased Les Tietje from the St. Louis Browns.
March 16, 1939

The Cincinnati Reds purchased Billy Werber from the Philadelphia Athletics.
March 17, 1939

The Chicago Cubs purchased Charlie English from the Cincinnati Reds for $10,000.
March 21, 1939

The Philadelphia Athletics signed Joe Rullo as an amateur free agent.

The Philadelphia Phillies purchased Wally Millies from Baltimore (International).
March 23, 1939

The Pittsburgh Pirates released Ed Brandt.
March 24, 1939

Hartford (Eastern) purchased Butch Sutcliffe from the Boston Bees.
March 27, 1939

The Boston Red Sox purchased Monte Weaver from the Washington Nationals.
March 29, 1939

Syracuse (International) purchased Buck Jordan from the Philadelphia Phillies.
March 31, 1939

The Boston Bees sent Bob Kahle to the New York Yankees as part of a conditional deal.

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Bill Posedel to the Boston Bees for Al Todd.
April, 1939

The Philadelphia Phillies purchased Stan Benjamin from Chattanooga (Southern Association) for $10,000.

The transaction information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. We attempt to update transactions throughout the season.