The Cleveland Indians signed veteran pitcher Paul Byrd to two-year contract on Monday. The deal is worth a reported $14.25 million with a club option for a third year. The 35-year-old Byrd will be returning to the organization that selected him in the fourth round of the 1991 amateur draft but this will be the first time that the wily righty will wear the Cleveland uniform. Byrd spent four seasons in the Indians minor-league system but was traded to the New York Mets in 1994 for Jeromy Burnitz. "In Paul Byrd we are excited to add an experienced starting pitcher to our rotation, one that represents the team we are trying to build both on and off the field," said Indians general manager Mark Shapiro in making the announcement. "We are pleased to bring Paul back to the organization he grew up in." A solid 2005 season in which Byrd went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made Byrd an attractive prospect on the free agent market. The former All-Star started 31 games and had 22 quality starts while posting the 15th-best ERA in the American League. He was especially impressive in the playoffs when he allowed just two runs in six innings in Game 1 of the ALCS in Chicago on just three days' rest. The signing helps stabilize what is an uncertain 2006 rotation for Cleveland, as 2005 regulars Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton both filed for free agency this offseason.