Rockies close to deal with veteran reliever Graves

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies are close to an agreement with reliever Danny Graves on a minor league contract.

The team said Tuesday night that it has had extensive conversations with the 33-year-old and would resume discussions in early January.

"We're looking at different bounce-back guys," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "We might take the opportunity to take a look."

Graves pitched 14 innings in 13 games last season for Cleveland and had a 2-1 record. He had a career-high 41 saves with Cincinnati in 2004, when he was picked for his second All-Star Game.

If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract calling for a $600,000 salary in the major leagues and the chance to earn $400,000 in performance bonuses. He would earn the full amount of performance bonuses if he pitches in 65 games.