Are you the next great Chicago White Sox writer? by Kyle Franzoni

Jul 13, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks (50) delivers in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports is reporting the New York Yankees are interested in possibly trading for Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks.

Feb 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail of a New York Yankees logo painted on the field for a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In an article by CBS Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, he writes:

“There is no evidence the sides are close to a deal and may be in only the early stages of talks. The White Sox are looking for young players and prospects as they continue their rebuild.”

I have no problems with the White Sox looking to possibly shop Danks for a prospect, especially with him being owed $34 million through the conclusion of the 2016 season.

Heyman says Danks has six teams listed to where he will not be traded.

Looking at the stats of Danks for the ’14 season, it has been a rocky(ish) road that has seen some smooth spots, kind of like going through a road construction site, then finally reaching the end and back to regular traffic.

That’s a good way to describe the pitching of Danks this season, right?

In 20 starts in ’14, Danks is 8-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 124 innings pitched. He has allowed 130 hits, along with 60 earned runs, and he’s also hit 16 batters.

The left-handed starter has also struck out 87 batters in ’14. For his career (2007-present), Danks has an ERA of 4.22 and 920 strikeouts.

Again, I don’t have anything against Danks, but his contract is a lot, and the question I have about that contract is: Is he really worth it? There is no reason for Danks to be the highest paid player on the White Sox roster, or even in the Top 5, and it would be best if the White Sox would rid themselves of it.

Danks is getting over $14 million this season and the next two after that, but eventually the White Sox are going to have to really pay Chris Sale and even eventually Jose Abreu will outplay his current contract.

Plus, the White Sox can use all the prospects they can get to improve their farm system, because there isn’t a whole lot at the Triple-A level, and eventually the players who are standing out with the Charlotte Knights are going to have to be moved to the MLB roster.

Trading Danks and ridding themselves of the contract could be a good move for the White Sox, and who better to help with that than a team who needs a starting left-handed pitcher and a bankroll where the $14 million per year salary wouldn’t be much of a bother.

This trade needs to happen before the deadline.

Thoughts?