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John Danks

Danks Hopes To Sign Extension

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White Sox lefty John Danks hopes to sign a multiyear extension with the White Sox, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.  The 24-year-old is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter.

Though he was thrilled to receive it, Danks turned down a four-year, $15.5MM offer from the White Sox on the advice of his agent Jeff Berry before the season.  Gavin Floyd accepted the same offer.  With another fine season in the books, Danks will probably require $16MM+ to cover his three arbitration years and $11-13MM per each free agent year.

White Sox Rumors: Jenks, Podsednik, Linebrink

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Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune has a new mailbag up, in which he answers some questions about potential offseason moves for the White Sox. A few highlights….

  • Gonzales expects the Sox to hang on to John Danks, whose quality innings still come at an affordable price. He can, however, envision them shopping closer Bobby Jenks, perhaps in search of a leadoff hitter.
  • Given Scott Podsednik's consistent production this season and the struggling economy, Gonzales thinks there's at least a decent chance the 33-year-old outfielder will be back in Chicago in 2010.
  • He sees the Sox keeping Gordon Beckham at third base, where they expect his power to eventually develop enough for a corner infielder.
  • If the White Sox want to make a play for Bobby Abreu this offseason, they'll have to be willing to pay more than the $5MM he earned this year.
  • Gonzales doesn't anticipate there being any market for Scott Linebrink, meaning the Sox will have to hold on to him and hope that he bounces back next spring.

Odds & Ends: Lilly, White Sox, Reds, Sheets

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Back to back Odds & Ends posts? Madness!

  • Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes about what the Yankees missed out on when they passed on Ted Lilly as a free agent in 2007.
  • Rick Morrissey of The Chicago Tribune says that the White Sox need Roy Halladay, no matter the cost. He suggests a package built around Alexei Ramirez and John Danks.
  • Hal McCoy of The Dayton Daily News says that he could see Aaron Harang and/or Bronson Arroyo moved for prospects if "the Reds nose dive before the July 31 trade deadline."
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Ben Sheets continues to make progress as he returns from elbow surgery, but it's unclear if he'll be able to pitch at all in 2009. Earlier this month we heard that Sheets may not pitch at all this year.

Williams On Peavy Deal, Next Steps

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MLB.com's Scott Merkin spoke with White Sox GM Kenny Williams about the team's plan in the aftermath of the Jake Peavy deal that never happened. Some highlights:

  • Williams said "a number of clubs" are trying to obtain White Sox starters, particularly their young ones. However, he said "it's not happening. We've got faith in John Danks and Gavin Floyd."
  • Williams said he wants to improve the White Sox, but he doesn't sound confident that he can find the necessary players and trading partners easily.
  • Sounds like the Sox have financial flexibility. At least taking on Peavy's salary was "not too much of a stretch."
  • Williams said he doesn't begrudge Peavy for not accepting deal. 
  • There's no Plan B for the White Sox right now, but Williams said he's working on it.

Odds And Ends: Bay, Boras, Danks

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Links for Friday afternoon…

Danks Discusses Extension Offer

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MLB.com's Scott Merkin talked to White Sox starter John Danks, who recently turned down the team's offer of a four-year, $15.5MM extension (Gavin Floyd accepted the same offer).  Danks was excited by the offer, but his agent advised him not to take it:

"I was thrilled to death.  I was advised that it wasn't the right time for that deal, but at the same time, never in a million years, never did I think I would have turned down a guaranteed 15. It was a hard decision, but that's why I pay my agent. We'll move on from there."

So at least the desire to stay in Chicago is evident with Danks.  Danks mentioned two more times that he turned down the offer on the advice of his agent Jeff Berry.  He even admitted, "When I heard $15 million, I was like 'Heck yeah.'"  Berry wants Danks to wait until after '09, when he'll be arbitration-eligible for the first time.  Presumably Berry has his eye on a Jon Lester deal.

Sox Lock Up Floyd, But Not Danks or Quentin

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3:04pm: Scot Gregor has the breakdown of the years. Floyd will receive $750K this season, $2.75MM for 2010, $5MM for 2011, and $7MM for 2012.

Gregor adds that they also offered the same deal to Carlos Quentin, who passed as well. Quentin, 27, was a monster last season, posting a line of .288/.394/.571 and blasting 36 HRs in just 130 games. He missed the end of the season after breaking his right wrist.

2:28pm: According to a Twitter update on Joe Cowley's blog, the White Sox have signed Gavin Floyd to a four-year, $15.5MM extension, with a $9.5MM option for 2013.

Floyd, 26, was solid in his first full season, posting a 17-6 record with a 3.84 ERA, and an opponent batting average of .241. The deal is similar to Paul Maholm's extension this winter, and nearly identical to the deal that Scott Baker recently signed. The contract buys out all three of Floyd's arbitration years.

Cowley also reports that John Danks was offered the same contract, but rejected it.

Danks, 24 in April, posted a 12-9 record with a 3.32 ERA, and a .246 BAA. His K:BB ratio of 2.78:1 and K/9 of 7.33 are superior to Floyd's marks of 2.07:1 and 6.33.

White Sox Thinking Long-Term With Youngsters?

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MLB.com’s Scott Merkin spoke with White Sox GM Ken Williams on Friday.  The general manager hinted that he’s not planning on rushing into long-term contract talks with young players like John Danks, Carlos Quentin or Gavin Floyd.

"You are way, way too far ahead there," Williams told Merkin. "I have to look at how the Dow Jones did today and see the general state of the economy before we start committing large sums of money out there."

Assitant GM Rick Hahn provided a more optimistic outlook, noting that multi-year contract talks don’t typically take place in early February.  "Historically, you talk about it in Spring Training, in a more relaxed atmosphere," Hahn said. "There has to be a meeting of the minds, with a willingness also on the part of the player and the agent."

Guillen Offers Updates at SoxFest

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8:30pm: Gonzales has another story up on the Tribune’s site with regard to Guillen and the Chicago White Sox.

Guillen said catcher A.J. Pierzynski will remain the No. 2 hitter in the lineup, according to Gonzales. Guillen also said Pierzynski will remain the primary catcher, which curbs suggestions that the Sox will go after free agent Ivan Rodriguez.

Guillen also reiterated what pitching coach Don Cooper has stated: Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Bartolo Colon (if healthy) will man the first four rotation spots.

Indications are that prized left-hander Aaron Poreda has an excellent shot at making the Opening Day roster, even if he doesn’t beat out Clayton Richard or Jeff Marquez for the fifth starter’s spot, Gonzales writes.

Guillen told Gonzales that he expects Wilson Betemit to be capable of playing all four infield positions. That, and outside Jim Thome, the White Sox do not have a true backup first baseman for Paul Konerko.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com was also there. He notes that minor league director Buddy Bell said Beckham has the ability to play any position.

5:30pm: Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that 2008 No. 1 pick Gordon Beckham will likely need to change positions.

Guillen expects Alexei Ramirez to be the team’s shortstop for the foreseeable future.

Ramirez, 27, hit .290/.317/.475 with 21 home runs and 77 RBI in 136 games in 2008 — his first year in the Major Leagues.

Of those 136 games, Ramirez spent time at second base (121 games) and at shortstop (16).

Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Gibbons, Uribe, Danks

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