John Danks allowed three runs (two earned) on just five hits in seven innings of Monday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers. Danks entered the day with rough spring numbers, but took a perfect game into the fourth, and fanned four while walking none. He was named the White Sox Opening Day starter afterward. Through 16 Cactus League innings, he's now the owner of a 5.06 ERA and 8/9 K/BB ratio.

John Danks had his third straight rough spring outing against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in four innings of work. The big blow came in the third, where he served up a two-run triple to Paul Goldschmidt. Danks is now sporting an even 7.00 ERA through his first nine spring innings of work, posting a horrendous 4/9 K/BB ratio in the process. He was much less shaky last spring, where he turned in a 3.04 ERA before posting a 3.92 mark in April.

John Danks struggled in his spring debut Tuesday, permitting three runs on four hits and three walks over two innings in a loss to the Angels. He struck out one and also threw a wild pitch. Danks, who will turn 27 next month, registered a 4.33 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 27 starts this past year but he was much better than that in each of his previous three seasons. The White Sox are counting on him bouncing back after handing him a five-year, $65 million contract extension over the offseason.

White Sox signed LHP John Danks to a five-year, $65 million contract extension. News of the surprising agreement surfaced last week, but the White Sox didn't make an official announcement until Thursday. Danks is set to earn $8 million in 2012 and $14.25 million per season from 2013-2016. He would have become a free agent after the 2012 season. The 26-year-old southpaw has a 4.03 ERA over his first five seasons in the big leagues, averaging 7.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. While he should be a solid anchor for the White Sox rotation over the next five years, a deal like this gives mixed signals about whether GM Ken Williams' is serious about a rebuilding effort.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the White Sox have agreed to a five-year, $65 million contract extension with left-handed starter John Danks. The news comes as a surprise given that most signs pointed to the White Sox executing a kind of fire sale this offseason. But the deal certainly isn't a horrible one money-wise. Danks, 26, has registered a cool 4.03 ERA in five major league seasons and struck out 135 batters while walking only 46 in 170 1/3 innings this past year for Chicago. He should remain a valuable fantasy commodity over the course of the new five-year contract.

ESPN's Matt Meyers notes that the White Sox are more likely to trade John Danks and Carlos Quentin before the season due to rules in the new collective bargaining agreement. Under the new CBA, teams can only get free agent compensation if a player is on their roster for the entire year, as opposed to in previous years when clubs were allowed to trade for impending free agents in July and still get compensation for them in the offseason. The White Sox are holding out hope that Danks returns a top package of prospects, but have seen a discrepancy in his value around the league. Quentin remains a low-cost alternative to the current free agent options.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the White Sox asked for two of Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances or Jesus Montero in trade talks with the Yankees for John Danks. Those are highly-coveted and highly thought of prospects, and Danks is under contract for just one more season. So it's doubtful that a deal is anywhere close to getting done with New York. Perhaps the White Sox will lower their asking price as the start of spring training approaches. Danks, 26, registered a 4.33 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 27 starts this past year.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the White Sox are asking for an Ubaldo Jimenez-like package for John Danks. Not surprising. Danks, 26, who is set to make around $7-8 million in his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent next offseason, and although he had a down 2011 season, he's fully capable of producing like a No. 2 starter. The White Sox reportedly asked for Yankees prospect Manny Banuelos in return for John Danks during a recent negotiation with the Bronx Bombers.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the White Sox have been shopping John Danks around in trade talks. General manager Kenny Williams indicated last month that he would be reluctant to part with Danks, but it was likely just an attempt to bump up the asking price. That price is evidently steep, as a source from another team told Cowley that Williams "asked for everyone on our roster in return" for the left-hander. While an obvious exaggeration, it's no surprise that Williams would be demanding a lot for the 27-year-old Danks, who is set to make around $7-8 million in his final year of arbitration.

According to Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago, the White Sox haven't discussed a long-term contract with John Danks recently. The White Sox have made multiple attempts in the past, but were rebuffed. While the impasse has increased the likelihood that he could be traded this offseason, Padilla hears that the club hasn't given up hope of reaching an extension. The 27-year-old left-hander figures to make between $7-8 million in his final year of arbitration.