Baseball fans never know what to expect when players and team executives amass for several days each winter. These so called Winter Meetings are usually good for a surprising move or two. This year, the dynamic meetings could be even livelier as one of the more active general managers in the league has several players to shop. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, White Sox GM Ken Williams is “dangling” several veteran players, including John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Carlos Quentin. Cowley reports that Williams has been especially aggressive in his efforts to move Danks this offseason.
Several major league sources have confirmed that Williams has been shopping Danks. Cowley says that the White Sox are prepared to trade Danks this winter “rather than have him go through one last year of arbitration, then free agency”.
However, one thing has been holding up trade talks. According to one of Cowley’s sources, Williams has “asked for everyone on our roster in return”.
Chicago figured to be looking for significant return in exchange for Danks this winter, but this report makes it sound like they are requesting outrageous packages.
So far this offseason, Danks has been tied to the Yankees, Rangers and Red Sox.
The market for Danks and the rest of the White Sox trade chips will likely heat up next week in Dallas. Beyond Danks, the White Sox have been taking calls on Floyd, Quentin, and several relievers including lefty Matt Thornton.
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