3:27pm: The Braves have officially announced the move.
2:20pm: MLBTR has learned that veteran lefty John Danks asked for and will be granted his release by the Braves. Danks is willing to sign elsewhere, but is not interested in pitching in the minors.
Danks reached a minor-league deal with Atlanta in December, then allowed seven runs while striking out seven and walking six over 9 2/3 innings of spring work. Even before those disappointing performances, Danks seemed unlikely to crack a Braves rotation that will feature Julio Teheran, Bartolo Colon, Jaime Garcia, R.A. Dickey and Mike Foltynewicz. The 31-year-old Danks pitched with the White Sox early in the 2016 season but did not pitch for another team after being released in May.
Danks has pitched over 1,500 innings and won 79 games over parts of ten seasons in the big leagues, all of them with the White Sox, and he stood out as a rotation workhorse from 2008 through 2011. He has, however, had a rough go since shoulder problems that resulted in surgery in 2012 — in the last five seasons, he has a 4.92 ERA, 6.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 while dealing with an average fastball velocity that’s gradually slipped from 91.6 MPH to 87.1 MPH last year. He made $65MM over those five seasons thanks to a long-term deal he signed prior to the 2012 season, although that contract expired last fall.
I hope he doesnt end up in Boston…
…..while I hope he doesn’t end up in Cleveland.
Love ya John, but the dream’s over. Chill out and follow your hot country star wife around.
Danks is willing to sign elsewhere, but is not interested in pitching in the minors.
Well, maybe he can take Drake’s spot
I’d love to hear his version of “Best I Ever Had”.
Only if his father is capable of playing or coaching at the MLB level. lol
“I suck but I refuse to play in the Minors.” Okay, enjoy your retirement, John.
With the money he “earned” with the White Sox, perhaps Danks can buy an independent league ball club in Texas or Tennessee, anoint himself the teams “star” pitcher and convince his wife Ashley and her country band into performing regularly for the fans.
Good Riddance
No one has done the “No Danks” comment yet? We’re slipping.
With many White Sox fans, comments often contained the “Danks stanks” rhyme.
I could see him returning to the white sox and being their swing man
that shoulder surgery messed him up real bad, he was an ace from 08 to 11
Danks was pretty good in that time frame but “ace” might be a little too praiseworthy. His production and age were enough to convince the White Sox into giving him that 5yrs/$65MM contract extension, ultimately leading the organization to part ways with their true “ace” and fan favorite Mark Buehrle when he became a free agent during that same offseason.
he should move to the bullpen
Now resigned to throwing change ups off of change ups. Also, noticed though not reported, Danks settled the unfortunate condo fall/injury case in Cook County Circuit Court on 2/21/17 after almost 5 years. (link to courtlink.lexisnexis.com). Good luck to Danks moving forward.
He owes the Sox 5 years to be a long reliever for$1 a year. If that money went to Mark We would of been a lot better. Sox Should give every club one more chance to wow us with a Q deal. Trade Robinson for the Washington catcher. And bring back AJ
Padres will pick him up.
If you are a vet and aren’t starting for the braves, do you really think there is room to grow else where? Hate to make a knock on my braves, but honestly man, you play a game for a living and your at the bottom of the chain right now.
For the braves, good for them for honoring his request. It was a low risk signing hoping for the best. It didn’t turn out, so let him pursue his dream else where if he desires. Plus, our goal has been to have really young guys starting at all levels of the minors. Signing vets to start in the minors doesn’t match our rebuild much