Reds, Graves agree to 1-year deal

CINCINNATI, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds avoided arbitration with closer Danny Graves by agreeing Tuesday to a one-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed for the 28-year-old righthander, who was 6-5 with a 4.15 ERA and a career-high 32 saves in 66 appearances for the Reds last season.

Graves, who is not eligible for free agency until after the 2003 season, ranks third on the Reds' all-time saves list with 97. He has 89 saves since the start of the 1999 campaign.

Cincinnati also has signed righthanders Jose Silva and Elmer Dessens and first baseman Sean Casey for 2002. The Reds' three remaining players eligible for arbitration are third baseman Aaron Boone, outfielder Juan Encarnacion and righthander Scott Williamson.