QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 22, 2011 -> 11:11 AM)
On the open market, Danks is undoubtedly worth more.
Does anyone really believe that JR will give a $100 million dollar contract to a non-superstar pitcher for five years or more?
Let's say we're talking a contract somewhere in the vicinity of the Braun deal that was recently announced. Barring some type of incredible 2005/2006 run, I just don't see the cost/benefit analysis on that one ending up in favor of Danks sticking around with the Sox.
He just happens to be the most important trade chip in any rebuilding effort. Hopefully they don't go that direction, and there's certainly logic to retaining Danks if Buehrle is actually planning to leave the Sox or retire. It always comes back to Peavy.
If he's healthy enough, then you have three starters (Floyd/Danks/Peavy) and theoretically Sale. But to rebuild an entire rotation around Floyd and Sale, that's a huge non-starter in terms of "patching" on the go or "reloading" and finally points to rebuilding. (That is, unless there's a big offset in insurance for Peavy not pitching for the major league team for the remainder of his contract.)
If Dunn is worth $60mm, then Danks is worth something in the neighborhood of our national debt.