D.J. Carrasco has a saying that anyone who has played professional baseball knows is true.

“It’s a lot harder to stay in the big leagues than to get there,” the Safford native said.

Carrasco spent all of 2009 and the latter part of the 2008 season pitching for the Chicago White Sox. On Dec. 12, he was not offered a contract by the White Sox, which made him a free agent.

White Sox pitcher D.J. Carrasco delivers to the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday, July 31, 2009. Photo by Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune

Drafted in 1997 in the 26th round by the Baltimore Orioles, Carrasco made his major league debut in 2003 with the Kansas City Royals.

He was back and forth between the minors and the majors with the Royals in 2004 and 2005. Carrasco pitched the 2006 season in Japan and was in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system in 2007.

Carrasco started the 2008 season playing for the White Sox Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights.

He finally made it back to the big leagues when the White Sox called him up to the majors in July of 2008.

The right-hander played a pivotal role out of the bullpen to help the White Sox win the American League Central Division and go to the playoffs that season.

The performance gave the 32-year-old Carrasco the confidence he could stay in the big leagues.

“(In 2008), I felt I established that I should be there again (in 2009),” he said.

Carrasco enjoyed playing in Kansas City and Chicago, although the two situations were different in nearly every way.

He said he enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere in Kansas City, but he was also excited to pitch for a contender in front of much larger crowds in Chicago.

Having the opportunity to play for a team that went to the playoffs in 2008 was a thrill for Carrasco.

“That’s what we play for — to win the World Series,” he said.

And how was playing for the notoriously combustible White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen?

“He’s awesome. The way the media portrays him is different than he really is,” Carrasco said.

Carrasco appreciated that Guillen never minced words. The Chicago manager tells his players exactly what is on his mind.

For Carrasco that meant knowing exactly why he was being pulled from a game. Sometimes it was as simple as Guillen telling him his slider wasn’t effective that day.

Since Carrasco had a chance to play for a contending team with the White Sox, he now wants to go to another team with a chance to win in free agency.

Carrasco said he has a lot to offer teams. He feels comfortable in any role, whether it’s long relief, short relief or starting. Carrasco would love the chance to start again.

On Friday, Carrasco said eight teams had already shown some interest in signing him. Carrasco’s agent preferred that he didn’t mention which teams.

After pitching 93 innings and posting a 3.76 ERA in 2009, including a 3.43 ERA as a reliever, he shouldn’t have to wait too long to find a new home.

“I’m excited to see where I’m going to go,” said Carrasco, who lives near Fort Worth, Texas.

Safford High School baseball coach Robert Abalos, who also pitched professionally, has known Carrasco since they played in Mount Graham Little League together.

“He’s got so many different arm angles and different velocities,” Abalos said of what makes Carrasco effective on the mound.

Using a sidearm and three-quarters delivery, Abalos said Carrasco makes it hard for hitters to get comfortable.

Abalos and Carrasco have put on a baseball camp for kids in Safford the last two years. The major league pitcher who was born in Safford has a big impact on the campers.

“It’s a sign of hope for kids in the Valley,” Abalos said. “It gives them hope that it can be done.”

Carrasco’s advice to kids is to set goals and be serious about them if they want to succeed.

“They can’t let any outside obstacles get in the way,” he said.

Carrasco would like to be signed with a new team by Christmas, but he said it really doesn’t matter when — he just wants to be back in the majors.

Abalos still talks to his friend once in a while. Does he discuss life in general or mostly baseball with Carrasco?

“I try to pick his brain (about baseball),” Abalos said. “He’s at the highest level. He’s got some great stories.”