Sunday, March 21, 1999White Sox have interest in Fordyce
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerSARASOTA, Fla. — The Reds might have come closer to trading catcher Brook Fordyce, though a deal isn't complete.
Fordyce, who is stuck behind Eddie Taubensee and Brian Johnson, is one of four catchers the Chicago White Sox have considered acquiring, The Chicago Tribune reported.
The Reds intend to keep only two catchers and, barring an injury to Taubensee or Johnson, cannot accommodate Fordyce, who has no minor-league options left.
The White Sox, who have been seeking a solid defensive catcher, nearly obtained Kansas City's Mike Sweeney earlier this spring. Chicago also is reportedly considering Tampa Bay's Mike DiFelice besides Fordyce, who last year threw out 13 of 40 runners trying to steal bases (32.5 percent, slightly above the major-league average). Reds pitchers recorded a 3.91 ERA with Fordyce catching to 4.48 for Taubensee. The National League average ERA was 4.23.
Fordyce, who batted .253 last year and is hitting .211 this spring, started Saturday's 5-4 exhibition loss to the Texas Rangers at Port Charlotte, Fla., and went 1-for-4. It might have been an attempt to “showcase” him for scouts.
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