Ex-Reds closer works out for Mets amid report of signing

NEW YORK -- Released Cincinnati closer Danny Graves worked out for the New York Mets on Tuesday and could be close to signing with the team.

"We don't have him yet," manager Willie Randolph said.

Newsday reported Tuesday that the Mets had come to terms with Graves, cast aside by the Reds last week, on a one-year contract and a team option for 2006. The newspaper also said Graves, 31, will earn the prorated minimum ($300,000) for 2005.

Graves had 10 saves this season and 182 in 10 major-league seasons but was designated for assignment by the Reds May 23, a day after making an obscene gesture to the fans. He then was released when Cincinnati was unable to arrange a trade for him. Graves is in the final year of a three-year $17.25 million deal that pays him $6.25 million this season. The Mets would be responsible for only a portion of that amount.

"We are in negotiations with the agent," general manager Omar Minaya said. "We're talking and we're hopeful of getting something done.

FANTASY FOCUS By Eric Mack Consider Danny Graves nothing more than a flier in Fantasy at this point. Other than being awful thus far (7.36 ERA, 2.291 WHIP) and having lost velocity, Graves is just bullpen depth for the Mets. He will not push hot-cold Braden Looper (3.72 ERA, 1.448 WHIP) for save opportunities -- a trade would do that. With all this said, Graves' Reds ouster was abrupt -- and was more due to his bird flipping -- so perhaps he can reclaim some value. Pick him up as a flier in deeper NL-only leagues. • Fantasy Baseball Read our latest analysis

"Here's a guy who saved 41 last year and saved 10 this year. Sometimes, you have to have a gut feeling. With a minimal investment, there's a potential up side."

If he does sign with New York, Randolph said he would not work in his traditional role of closer.

"Braden Looper's my closer," the manager said. "If we sign Graves, he would be a setup man like everybody else. He'd be a complement to our bullpen."

Looper, who has converted 11 straight save opportunities, was pleased with that news.

"It's a situation where he would bolster the bullpen," he said. "The way I look at it, it's a matter of making the bullpen stronger."

The Mets went to Looper's alma mater, Wichita State, for their first pick in Tuesday's amateur draft, selecting 6-foot-7 pitcher Mike Pelfrey, a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year. Pelfrey, the ninth player selected in the draft, was 12-3 with a 1.93 earned run average and seven complete games.

"My advisors leading up to the draft told me the Mets were interested," Pelfrey said in a conference call. "I'm real excited about it."

Pelfrey said he grew up rooting for the Kansas City Royals. "Today, I became the biggest New York Mets fan," he said. "I'm really happy with the Mets. It's a great organization and a great fit for me. I'm glad the way things worked out."

Pelfrey's coach, Gene Stephenson, called the right-hander the most consistent starting pitcher he's had in 28 years at Wichita State.

"He's a bulldog on the mound, not only as a great starter but as a great finisher," Stephenson said. "He's just as strong in the seventh, eighth and ninth as he is in the first. He's never had arm trouble. He's the very best starter we've ever had. He's got very good composure and he's matured tremendously in three years."

In 52 games at Wichita State, Pelfrey went 33-7 with a 2.18 earned run average. He had 14 complete games in three years.