Offseason[edit]

On December 2, 1936, the Reds purchased catcher Spud Davis and infielder Charlie Gelbert from the St. Louis Cardinals. Davis played in 112 games with the Cardinals during the 1936 season, hitting .273 with four home runs and 59 RBI. Gelbert hit .229 with three home runs and 27 RBI in 93 games during the 1936 season.


Just over two weeks later, on December 19, Cincinnati sold pitcher Lee Stine to the New York Yankees. Stine appeared in 40 games with the Reds during the 1936 season, including 12 starts. He posted a 3–8 record with a 5.03 ERA in 121.2 innings pitched in his only season with the club.


On January 6, 1937, Cincinnati sold infielder Tommy Thevenow to the New York Giants. Thevenow hit .234 with 36 RBI in 106 games in his lone season with the team.


Just prior to the beginning of the regular season, Cincinnati made a couple of moves. On April 16, the Reds sold outfielder Jack Rothrock to the Philadelphia Athletics. Rothrock, who was acquired by the Reds in August 1936, did not appear in a game with the team. Three days later, Cincinnati sold left fielder Babe Herman to the Detroit Tigers. In 119 games during the 1936 season, Herman hit for a .279 batting average with 13 home runs and 71 RBI.