Earlier this offseason, following the trade of Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays, White Sox general manager Ken Williams used the word “rebuilding”. This led many to speculate that everyone and anyone on the White Sox active roster could be had this winter. While that may have been the case, Chicago’s most coveted pitcher is staying put. The White Sox and John Danks have agreed to a five-year, $65 million contract extension.
Many teams targeted Danks this offseason, and most analysts believe he and rotation mate Gavin Floyd would be out the door come spring training. But, instead of dealing Danks for prospects, the White Sox were able to reach an agreement that will keep the 26-year-old in Chicago.
Danks’ new deal will not be officially announced until after the weekend, as Danks must first undergo a physical.
The White Sox did shop Danks through the beginning of the offseason and at the 2011 Winter Meetings. However, this had more to do with Chicago’s uncertainty surrounding a possible extension. After teams were unable to meet the White Sox demands for one year of Danks, the team started talking extension with the left-hander.
Danks has been one of the more consistent starting pitchers in baseball over the past four seasons. From 2008-2010, Danks averaged more than 200 innings pitched per year with an ERA hovering around 3.50.
Though he got off to a rocky start last season, Danks rebounded nicely to finish with an ERA of 4.33 to go with his 1.339 WHIP. Over his career, the left-hander has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 4.03 and 1.304 to go with his SO/9 of 7.0 and BB/9 of 2.9.
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