CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians re-acquired catcher Eddie Taubensee from the Cincinanti Reds today in a move that could signal the end of Sandy Alomar's tenure with the Tribe.

Taubensee, who missed half of the 2000 season with a back injury, was obtained for righthanders Jim Brower and Robert Pugmire. Taubensee began his major league career with the Tribe in 1991 before being traded to the Houston Astros in a deal involving Kenny Lofton.

The Indians have been planning for the possible loss of Alomar, a free agent, and have been looking for a backup for Einar Diaz, who is expected to have an expanded role next season. A six-time All-Star, Alomar has been plagued by injuries in recent years.

"In Eddie Taubensee we are receiving a solid catcher whose lefthanded bat will provide the club with much-needed flexibility at other positions," Cleveland general manager John Hart said.

The 32-year-old Taubensee began 2000 as the Reds' starting catcher but missed the second half of the year because of a ruptured disk in his back. He did not play after July 31 and was on the disabled list for the first time in his career. On September 3, he underwent surgery to remove a disk that was pushing on his spinal cord and later received a clean bill of health.

Taubensee hit .267 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 81 games last season.

Taubensee has a .274 career batting average over nine major league campaigns with Cleveland, Houston and Cincinnati. He enjoyed his best season in 1999 when he hit .311 with 21 homers and 87 RBI in 126 games. The Reds recently picked up his contract option worth $1.8 million for next season.

Brower, 27, split last season between the majors and the minors and was 2-3 with a 6.24 ERA in 11 starts and six relief outings for the Indians.

Pugmire, 22, was limited to nine minor league starts last season due to tendintis in his elbow and had 24 strikeouts in 29 innings.

The Reds today also acquired infielder Donnie Sadler and minor league outfielder Michael Coleman from the Boston Red Sox for infielder Chris Stynes, who is arbitration eligible.

In another move, the Reds added Tim Foli to the coaching staff under manager Bob Boone, but did not specify Foli's duties. As manager of the Kansas City Royals, Boone had Foli on his coaching staff in 1996.