Danks' long run with Chicago White Sox nearing end
Heading into spring training, the Chicago White Sox were saddled with two bad contracts.
One is off the books, and you've probably heard all about Adam LaRoche opting to retire and forfeit his $13 million salary this season after White Sox vice president Kenny Williams asked the designated hitter to scale back his son's presence in the clubhouse.
John Danks is still with the White Sox, and he'll collect $14.25 million in the final season of his five-year, $65 million contract.
"It's strange," the 30-year-old Danks said. "It's happened just like that. It wasn't that long ago where I was the young guy, taking orders from (Mark) Buehrle and (Jon) Garland and guys like that. It's living a dream. I'm a very blessed and fortunate person."
Unfortunately for Danks, he is not close to being the same pitcher he was when he signed the deal.
In 2012, his season was cut short by shoulder surgery, and the left-hander's effectiveness has not made it all the way back.
Danks was limited to 9 starts in 2013 after he returned from surgery, and the velocity on his fastball was noticeably lower.
The heat never returned, so Danks converted himself into a deceptive starter, and the changeup now has become his out pitch.
Unfortunately - again - Danks frequently elevates changeup and pays the price.
Over the last two seasons, Danks has allowed 49 home runs. In the American League, only Jeremy Guthrie (52), Jered Weaver (51), R.A. Dickey (51), Colby Lewis (51) and Wei-Yin Chen (51) have allowed more.
On the positive side, Danks takes the ball every fifth day and he eats up innings. Last season, the lefty made 30 or more starts for the fifth time in his career while going 7-15 with a 4.71 ERA.
Here's what Fangraphs.com has to say about Danks: "He is what he is: A six strikeout per nine guy who walks about half as many and pitches to the league average in strand rate, batting average on balls in play, and home run per fly ball rate."
This is going to be his final season with the White Sox, and Danks figures to be the No. 5 starter.
Last Friday, Danks pitched against the Cubs and delivered 5 scoreless innings and 7 strikeouts. Before that, he pitched 9⅔ Cactus League innings and allowed 13 runs on 13 hits.
"Like I said all along, we're all competitive and all have pride and all want to do well," Danks told reporters after facing the Cubs. "But most of us that have been around understand that there's a bigger picture to spring training, and it's a good opportunity to get out there and work on something that will help you during the summer. Of course, it feels good to go out there and have a successful outing and throw the ball where you want, and it's just a step in the right direction."