While pitcher John Danks has been named in several trade rumors throughout the offseason, the left-handed starter has just inked a 5-year, $65 million extension with the Chicago White Sox, according to the Chicago Tribune, late Wednesday night.
Teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays have all been linked to trade rumors with the White Sox, involving Danks. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters after dealing closer Sergio Santos to Toronto in early December, that this was the start of a rebuilding phase for the White Sox.
After Williams made that statement, the thoughts of last year’s “all in” campaign seemed to be a distant memory. The White Sox were one of the most disappointing teams in 2011, struggling most of the season, highlighted by the Sox’s big money DH Adam Dunn, who posted an astonishingly poor .592 OPS during his first season in the American league.
The White Sox owe pitcher Jake Peavy, outfielder Alex Rios, and Dunn a combined total of more than $40 million in 2012, following last season’s collective -3.0 WAR from the veteran trio. The goal this year seemed to be to shed payroll and add young prospects, making the Danks extension something of a surprise.
The Sox’s huge investment in Danks shows that the front office knows what they have in Danks, a much sought-after left-handed starter who had a 3.61 earned run average from 2008-2010, along with a 7.0 SO/9 ratio. Danks struggled last year, along with the rest of the team. Despite his sub-par 2011, Danks will only be 27 next season, and with his previous track record, the Sox should feel confident that he will be an appropriate ace of their pitching staff.
While the White Sox avoided arbitration this year with Danks, it remains to be seen what they will do with starter Gavin Floyd, who has also been the subject of several trade rumors. While Floyd doesn’t have the track record Danks has, he still has plus stuff, and sometimes can be dominating. He often times has control issues, however, his SO/BB ratio has increased steadily throughout his career, culminating in his career high mark of 3.36 in 2011.
With Danks locked up though, it appears that Floyd will continue to be on the trade market. Williams still has a couple of months to hold out for the best possible, prospective young talent. Otherwise, Floyd will only cost the team $7 million in 2012 if there are no takers for the right-hander.
White Sox fans should take comfort in the Danks extension. While there still may be some more familiar faces leaving town, the Sox could be competitive this season if their highly-paid veterans return to form, along with Danks becoming a true number-one pitcher for the White Sox.
-James Kries
