Report: Sox sign Danks to 5-year deal

After losing pitcher Mark Buehrle to the Miami Marlins, the White Sox apparently have decided not to let another good left-handed pitcher get away.

Numerous Twitter reports ramped up Wednesday night with news that the White Sox have reached agreement with starting pitcher John Danks, 26, to a five-year deal worth $65 million. Buerhle, 32, signed a four-year deal worth $58 million.

CSN Chicago’s Chuck Garfein and CBS reporter Jon Heyman also reported that sources close to the situation confirmed the deal. The news was first reported by Doug Sellyer on Twitter, although the White Sox did not release an official comment on the report and Dank must complete a physical before the deal can be signed.

Danks, who was eligible for free agency at the end of the 2012 season, had been attracting trade interest while White Sox general manager Kenny Williams was looking to cut the team’s payroll after a disappointing 2011 season.

Danks, who was paid $6 million last season, finished the year with at 8-12 after opening with 8 losses. From June 6 to Aug. 27 Danks was 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA, but he closed the season 2-3 with a 7.76 ERA.

Numerous trade rumors showed the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers and Blue Jays all had interest in acquiring Danks.