John Danks and Carlos Quentin both turned down four-year contract offers from the White Sox last offseason, reports Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com. Both players were entering their first arbitration year and rather than take the long-term contracts, each agreed to a one-year pact (Danks for $3.45MM, Quentin for $3.2MM).
As it turned out, Danks and Quentin illustrated both sides of what can happen when a young player takes a risk and passes up a long-term guarantee. Danks turned down a four-year, $15MM offer, and thus essentially made a $11.55MM bet on himself heading into the 2010 season. The risk paid off — after a strong performance (3.72 ERA, 2.31 K/BB ratio, 213 IP), Danks has put himself in line for a much larger contract. We heard in November that the Sox were again looking to extend Danks, and such an extension will pay the southpaw a lot more than $11.55MM over the next three seasons.
For Quentin, however, 2010 was a struggle. We don't know how much his four-year offer was worth, and it's possible he was justified in rejecting it if Chicago made a lowball offer to try and capitalize on Quentin's down numbers in 2009. Still, Quentin's .821 OPS last season was far removed from his MVP-caliber season in 2008, he struggled badly in the field and his name has come up in trade rumors since the summer.
"The White Sox still don’t seem convinced that Quentin can stay injury- or stress-free over a full season," Padilla writes. He wonders if the Sox might again try to make a long-term offer to Quentin (at an even lower price) to keep him under control if he breaks out for another big season that would drive up his arbitration price next winter and his eventual free agent price after the 2012 season.
I’m looking for a HUGE year from Carlos!! I know we all have been, but this year I have a feeling with our line up he will knock in 120 rbi’s
Kenny can trade Both of them and Beckham. I love the cowboy in him.
Um that would bring back a lot!
Id be curious why KW would trade the starting 2B, RF and one of the better SP….for who? Create 3 huge holes in the team and there are no replacements for any of them in the system
Wow that was an awfully low offer to Danks…less than 4 mil annually? How could he have accepted that in his right mind?
As for Carlos, I just wish he would be traded, he’s never going to be worth as much as he’s paid because of his atrocious defense.
Following is an excerpt from a Baseball Prospectus column by Christina Kahrl dtd. 12-13-10 regarding the defensive metric UZR which may be revealing:
… the subject of defense, which I know everybody likes talking about, and which sometimes leads to useful info and insight.
I was struck by two separate conversations I had, one with a statistician, and another with an assistant general manager.
Between the two, the subject of defensive metrics came up, and both were fairly dismissive of UZR.
… the AGM’s remark, in response to my question about who’s using what, was the one I found telling: “NOBODY USES IT—why would they? They’ve all built their own, better metrics …”
I watched 99% of White Sox games and I can tell you for sure he was pitiful.
As far as I know, and if I remember correctly, KW offered Danks the same contract that they offered Floyd and that Floyd accepted.
Quentin will likely be gone by the beginning of next season. The Sox have high praises for both Mitchell and Jordan Danks.
I think Quentin’s increasing salary and decreasing numbers are a much bigger reason that he wouldn’t be back in 2012 than anyone on the farm.
Besides, I can see them putting Viciedo in LF in 2012 when Pierre leaves, and either acquiring a new leadoff guy or bringing up Mitchell.
The Sox don’t have high praises for Jordan Danks, he’s becoming a non-prospect by the minute it seems. Mitchell is very raw, and unpolished as a baseball player due to his injury in spring training last year
Our farm system is very weak right now, beyond Viciedo, Morel (if he doesn’t break ST with the team which he almost certainly will), Phegley, and a few other mentionables (Santeliz, Mitchell)
Sale?
A number of our our higher picks have missed significant development time:
2009 1st round – Jared Mitchell (ankle)
2009 1st round supplemental – Josh Phegley (blood disorder)
2009 2nd round – Trayce Thompson (broken finger)
2010 3rd round supplemental – Thomas Royse (Tommy John surgery)
Plus some players from last year’s draft bear watching:
Jacob Petricka (RHP)
Addison Reed (RHP)
Andy Wilkins (1B)
Tyler Saladino (SS/2B)
Michael Blanke (C)
I want to see more of these players.
Also, Santeliz was DFA in 2010 and now pitches for the Red Sox.
why would the sox trade beckham?
I’m just going to point out the elephant in the room, Danks & Quentin would be a phenomenal buddy cop duo.
That’s hilarious!
I’m just going to point out the elephant in the room, Danks & Quentin would be a phenomenal buddy cop duo.
Good article, Polishuk.
I know that Quentin, Danks, and Floyd all got offered the same deal after the 08 season, which was 4/15 and Floyd signed it. I have a hard time believing they would even bother to offer the same deal after 09, especially to Danks.
Quentin is oft injured dh type that is very inconsistent. what would they get for him? i don’t think they’ll get anything solid in return. might as well keep him.
Why would they make such a lame offer to DANKS? 3.75MIL per season for his numbers warrant 5-7MIL per season. 4YRS at 25MIL would seem more legit to lock up the best starter on your staff. Like Guillen, Williams is a DUNCE.
Maybe they hoped Danks was a “team player”?
Does Danks have one or two years until he hits the free agent market?
He is going to be looking for something in the 4 year/ 40-45 million range, at the very least.
If Kenny doesn’t give it to him, somebody else will.
Does Danks have one or two years until he hits the free agent market?
He is going to be looking for something in the 4 year/ 40-45 million range, at the very least.
If Kenny doesn’t give it to him, somebody else will.