CLEVELAND — Fausto Carmona, a surprising 19-game winner last season, agreed to terms of a seven-year contract with the Cleveland Indians today.

A person familiar with the negotiations says Carmona's deal will be announced later in the day. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.

The deal runs through 2011 and includes club options from 2012-2014.

The 24-year-old Carmona went 19-7 with a 3.06 ERA and emerged as one of the AL's top starters in 2007, one season after he went 1-10.

His signing gives the Indians protection in case they are unable to re-sign C.C. Sabathia, the defending Cy Young Award winner, who is eligible for free agency following this season.

The Indians announced a 3 p.m. press conference at Progressive Field with "exciting news about a member of the Indians pitching staff (NOT C.C. Sabathia)."

Sabathia rejected a preliminary offer from the Indians, and during spring training he suspended negotiations with the Indians until after the season. There's no guarantee he'll be back, and if he's not, Carmona will ascend into the No. 1 role.

Carmona joins a core group of young players — along with Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez — who have signed long-term deals with the Indians.

The right-hander, whose signature sinker is as good as any in the majors, pitched 215 innings last season. He and Sabathia were the first Cleveland teammates to win at least 19 games since Bob Lemon, Herb Score and Early Wynn did it in 1956.

Carmona, who finished second in the AL in ERA, began the '07 season with a loss to Chicago, extending his losing streak to 11 straight games. He finally snapped it by beating Minnesota's Johan Santana, but was optioned to the minor leagues when Cliff Lee came off the disabled list.

But before he reported to Triple-A Buffalo, Carmona was back when right-hander Jake Westbrook went down with an injury. He pitched his first complete game shutout in May, again beating Santana, a two-time Cy Young winner.

Carmona eventually won seven straight decisions, and then went 9-4 with a major league best 2.26 ERA in the second half.

The Dominican Republic native made a memorable debut in the postseason. Matched up with Andy Pettitte, he allowed the New York Yankees just three hits and no earned runs in nine innings, pitching the final two as tiny insects swarmed the infield at then-Jacobs Field.

Carmona's amazing ride finally ended in the ALCS, when he was roughed up in two starts by the Boston Red Sox, who rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the series.