White Sox and pitcher John Danks agree to terms on five-year contract

The Chicago White Sox and left-handed pitcher John Danks have agreed to terms on a five-year, $65-million contract.  Under terms of the agreement, Danks will receive $8 million in 2012, which was to be his final season of arbitration eligibility, and $14.25 million in each of the 2013-16 seasons.

Danks, 26, went 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA (82 ER/170.1 IP) and 135 strikeouts in 27 starts for the White Sox last season.  The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder was 8-4 with a 3.69 ERA (41 ER/100.0 IP) over his final 16 starts after losing his first eight decisions of the season.

A native of Austin, Texas, Danks is 54-56 with a 4.03 ERA (411 ER/917.2 IP) and 714 strikeouts in 150 starts over five major-league seasons, all with the White Sox.  Since the start of the 2008 season, he ranks third among American League left-handers with 605 strikeouts, fourth with 48 victories and 76 quality starts and eighth with a 3.77 ERA.

Danks has recorded three seasons with 12 or more victories and 30 or more starts and twice has throw 200.0-plus IP during his career.  He set career highs with 15 wins and 162 strikeouts in 2010 and compiled a career-best 3.32 ERA in 2008.

Danks was acquired from Texas on December 23, 2006 with pitchers Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner in exchange for pitcher Brandon McCarthy and outfielder David Paisano.