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12/19/2005 12:05 PM ET
Karsay, Graves sign Indians' Minor League deals
Pair of right-handed relievers bolster bullpen
By Justice B. Hill / MLB.com
Steve Karsay played a part in Frisco's perfect game on July 28 before returning to the Majors. (Frisco RoughRiders)

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CLEVELAND -- The Indians announced the signing of right-handed relievers Danny Graves and Steve Karsay to Minor League contracts on Monday. For both players it is a return to the Cleveland organization.

Graves and Karsay give the Indians two veterans who can shore up the bullpen, which lost free agent Bob Howry to the Cubs earlier in the offseason.

The 32-year-old Graves, an experienced closer, first joined the Indians organization in 1994 as a fourth-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft.

After reaching the Majors in 1996, he was dealt to the Reds in 1997 in a package that brought left-hander John Smiley and infielder Jeff Branson to the Tribe. With the Reds, Graves saved 129 games between 1998-2002, but he made an attempt to convert to a starter in 2002-03, making 30 starts, but returned to his closer role with the start of the 2004 season, when he was named to the NL All-Star team after reaching 30 saves at the break.

After notching a career-high 41 saves in 2004, 2005 was a season of struggles for Graves. He went 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA and 10 saves before he was released at midseason.

The Mets picked up Graves, who made $6.25 million last season. He went 0-0 with a 5.75 ERA for the Mets. In total last season, he appeared in 40 games, went 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA and saved 10 games.

For his career, Graves has a total of 182 saves and 4.02 ERA. He holds the Reds record for career saves.

As for Karsay, he joined the Indians organization in 1997. He was part of a deal that sent reliever Mike Fetters to the Athletics. Karsay, a 33-year-old setup man, spent 1998-2000 and part of the 2001 season with the Tribe.

He left the Indians in 2001 in a much-discussed trade with the Braves at midseason that brought left-hander John Rocker to the Tribe.

After the 2001 season, Karsay declared himself a free agent and signed with the Yankees. He remained with the Yanks from 2002 until he was released on May 12. He signed a Minor League deal with the Rangers and pitched 15 2/3 innings in 14 appearances with a 7.47 ERA.

In 10 seasons, Karsay holds a 31-39 record with a 3.98 ERA. He made $6 million last season.

Justice B. Hill is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.