Danks' extension official: The White Sox and SP John Danks announced Thursday they have finalized a five-year, $65 million contract through 2016. The deal was reported last week by CBSSports.com MLB Insider Jon Heyman. Danks will earn $8 million next season, and $14.25 million in each of the final four years of the contract. A 15-game winner in 2010, Danks slumped last season and was 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA. (Updated 12/29/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Danks reportedly was on the trade market, but now, it appears the White Sox might try to rebuild with him after ace Mark Buehrle signed with Miami. The 26-year-old left-hander would have been eligible for free agency after next season. He has shown he can produce and racked up 45 total wins from 2008-10. Fantasy owners should consider him a quality selection in the middle rounds of 2012 drafts. (Updated 12/29/2011).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
John Danks was one of the hottest names in the rumor mill this offseason. With the White Sox in rebuilding mode and the left-hander in the final year of his contract, any team with a need for pitching was presumed to be in talks with general manager Kenny Williams. But then, Williams did the last thing anyone expected and signed Danks to a five-year extension. The deal may have been great for Danks personally, but it didn't exactly help his Fantasy value. For one thing, it meant he'll have to continue to pitch in a notorious hitter's park. For another, it meant he's stuck on a rebuilding club -- one that lacks the supporting cast he's used to. So even though the 26-year-old would normally be primed for a rebound season coming off a career-worst 4.33 ERA that was no doubt influenced by an abnormally high BABIP, he might again have to settle for a sub-.500 record. Danks had an 11-start stretch last June, July and August in which he posted a 2.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 8.6 strikeout per nine innings, and if he can somehow build off those numbers, he'll overcome his lack of supporting cast. But because he's typically a middle-of-the-road option in those three categories, you shouldn't invest more than a middle-to-late-round pick in him. (Updated 1/11/12)