CLEVELAND (AP) - Eight years ago, the Cleveland Indians traded Danny Graves and told him that one day they might bring him back. On Monday, he returned.

``This was the first time there was such an opportunity,'' Graves said.

Looking to their past for help with the back end of their bullpen, the Indians agreed to terms on minor league contracts with Graves and Steve Karsay, two proven relievers who haven't been good lately.

Graves and Karsay previously pitched for the Indians, who need to fill the setup spot vacated when Bob Howry agreed to a $12 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs in November.

``I believe in these two guys,'' Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. ``I've seen them succeed here in Cleveland, and in the case of Danny Graves, elsewhere. They have as good a chance as anybody that we can bring in to help us in middle relief or a setup role.''

Shapiro made it clear that the signings were not specifically to replace Howry, and that both Graves and Karsay could make the club.

``Both these guys pitched in the major leagues last season and I think they can compete for jobs on our staff,'' Shapiro said. ``If these guys are healthy and pitching back at their level of performance, I see them being in a meaningful role for our club. We want strength and depth in our bullpen.''

Graves, who holds Cincinnati's club record for saves (182), was released by the Reds in May, shortly after he made an obscene hand gesture to a fan following a poor ninth-inning performance.

He was signed by the New York Mets and went 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA in 40 appearances. If the 32-year-old Graves is added to Cleveland's 40-man roster in spring training, he would receive a one-year $575,000 contract.

When he was let go by the Reds, Graves insisted he had not fully recovered from 2003, when he agreed to try to help the club by becoming a starter for the first time. He went 4-15 and wore down, losing velocity off his fastball.

``Performance-wise last year, the starting experience of 2003 got to me mentally and physically,'' Graves said. ``I was never able to mentally figure it out. I know that in 2004 I had a decent year (41 saves), but I still didn't feel right. You get out of rhythm and it is tough to bring it back.

``Being age 30 and trying to become a starter was the worst thing ever in my career. I don't regret it because you have to go through obstacles in your career and you want to be able to grow and accept challenges. I welcome challenges. This is one now, signing back with Cleveland.''

Graves said he regrets the incident with the fan, whom he said leaned into the dugout and verbally abused him with racial taunts. He also wishes the Reds had handled his release differently.

``That was a shock. I knew my days in Cincinnati were numbered, but it was the way it was handled that I didn't like,'' he said. ``I had pitched for that team for eight years, done a lot of community work, and I didn't appreciate not being told face to face.''

Other teams, including the Mets, expressed interest in signing Graves. But he had only one destination in mind.

``My agent said Seattle and Texas had called, but as soon as Mark called, I told him not to take any more calls,'' Graves said. ``I said 'Cleveland is where I have to go to get my career back.'''

Karsay has been slowed by injuries to his back and shoulder in recent years, which has limited him to 27 appearances since 2003. The 33-year-old was released by the New York Yankees last season and finished the year with Texas Rangers.

Karsay, who began his career as a starter with Oakland, went 15-14 with 22 saves in 3 1/2 seasons with the Indians. Off a successful 2001 season split between the Indians and Atlanta Braves, Karsay signed a $22.5 million, four-year deal to become the Yankees' setup man for Mariano Rivera.

He filled that role in 2002 by pitching in 78 games, but Karsay missed the entire 2003 season while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder.

Karsay would get a one-year, $600,000 deal if added to Cleveland's 40-man roster.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.