In a surprising move, the Reds picked up the $1.8 million option on Eddie Taubensee's 2001 contract Monday, feeling confident the catcher's troublesome back will heal sufficiently.

        The Reds could have opted to pay Taubensee a $500,000 buyout and re-sign him for a lower figure. But Dr. Tim Kremchek, the team's medical director, and Dr. Harry Van Loveren, who operated on Taubensee's back Sept. 8, examined the nine-year veteran last Friday and determined he almost surely will report to spring training at full health.

        “He looks great,” Kremchek said. “He has full range of motion, no spasms, no pain.”

        That was enough for Reds general manager Jim Bowden, who remembers Taubensee's steady offensive improvement since he joined the Reds early in the 1994 season. Taubensee's progress crested in 1999, when he hit .311 with 21 homers and 87 RBI.

        “We're making a baseball/business decision, based on the value of a left-handed hitting catcher in today's market and the medical report,” Bowden said.

        Taubensee struggled this season, finishing with a .267 average, six homers and 24 RBI. The ruptured disk in his back prevented him from playing after July 31.

        Bowden said he has conducted preliminary discussions with Seth Levinson, the agent for right-handed pitcher Mark Wohlers, who's eligible to file for free agency but has not yet done so. According to Bowden, Levinson told him that Wohlers' priority is to remain in Cincinnati.

        Bowden said he has had no talks with representatives for catcher Benito Santiago, Cincinnati's other potential free agent.

Reds have until Wednesday to woo Piniella Reds to pay $1.8M for Taubensee

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