Major League Baseball

Heart scare, newborn baby, elbow surgery. Still wanna rip Carrasco?

Published Apr. 8, 2015 12:06 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

Carlos Carrasco's agents discouraged him from accepting the Indians' offer. His union did the same. And now that the deal is done, other agents and maybe even some of his fellow players will whisper that he sold himself short.

Well, they don't know.

They don't know that Carrasco underwent a non-invasive procedure to correct a condition with his heart at the Cleveland Clinic last Oct. 8.

They don't know that he experienced renewed palpitations during spring training, requiring him to go back on medication that regulates his heartbeat.

Carrasco, 28, worried that the issue might resurface. He worried that he eventually might need a second Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He worried about securing the future for his wife, Karelis, and his four children, the oldest of whom is 12, the youngest 1-week old.

So of course he took the deal — four years, $22 million with two club options that could extend the Indians' control over him through 2020. He took the deal, which became official on Tuesday, and most players in his position probably would have taken it, too.

This is a pitcher who only burst into prominence when he produced a 1.30 ERA in his final 10 starts of last season, a pitcher who previously had bounced between the rotation and bullpen, a pitcher who had spent time in the minors and even been designated for assignment in 2013.

Carrasco, a native of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, told FOX Sports his story over the phone Tuesday night, speaking in Spanish with one of his agents from ACES, Josh Yates, interpreting.

The conviction in his voice, even with the language barrier, was unmistakable.

The pitcher did not give many details about his condition and procedure, other than to say that doctors ran a tube from his leg to one of his back ventricles to increase the blood flow. The Indians obviously were confident that he had a low risk of recurrence and that his condition was manageable and insurable; otherwise, they would not have done the deal.

Carrasco said he first experienced heart palpitations shortly after the season ended. When doctors recommended surgery, he asked one of his agents, Sam Levinson, to fly to Cleveland to comfort his wife during the procedure. His operation, while not as serious as open-heart surgery, lasted nearly seven hours and, in his own words, left him “really scared.”

Midway through spring training, Carrasco was off medication and in the midst of normal preparations for the season when he again experienced palpitations. He said his heartbeat rose to a level that was dangerous, and that he again was frightened. But the doctors put him back on medication, and his condition stabilized.

At that point, Carrasco already had agreed to a one-year, $2.3375 million contract as a first-time arbitration-eligible player. He had two years of arbitration remaining, then could have become a free agent after the 2017 season. His payout, if he had continued producing at a high level, could have been enormous.

But to Carrasco, the risk in waiting was enormous, too.

His career had been rocky. His health had been shaky. Near the end of spring training, he made it clear to his agents and to the Indians that he wanted a long-term deal.

The agents, Sam Levinson and his brother Seth, presented Carrasco with the pros and cons of accepting a below-market contract. Union officials outlined to Carrasco the potential sacrifice in giving up three free-agent years, and explained that if the Indians picked up his options, it probably would be because he was worth at least double their respective $9 million and $9.5 million values.

In the end, though, the decision was Carrasco's, and he said that everyone understood his reasoning. The security should give him peace of mind, enable him to pitch with confidence. Besides, what's the worst-case scenario if he outperforms his contract? The Indians will exercise both options, and he will earn at least $40.5 million.

He had heart trouble, elbow trouble, career trouble.

Of course he took the deal.

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