Do the Pirates want John Danks from the White Sox?

Jul 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks (50) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Times Online in Beaver, Pa. mentioned in an article that the Pittsburgh Pirates could be interested in current Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks.

With the winter meetings taking place this week, we are going to hear a lot of different rumors, but this is just one rumor I hope is true.

Here is what the Times wrote about Danks:

"“Though Danks was 11-11 with a 4.74 ERA in 32 regular-season starts last season, the 29-year-old would seemingly be another change-of-scenery pitcher who could be aided by coming to the Pirates and working with pitching coaches Ray Searage and Jim Benedict.”"

It goes on to say the White Sox would have to “absorb” some of the salary Danks is owed the next two seasons, which is $14.25 million per year.

I say why not make some sort of trade with Pittsburgh? If anything, it will free up more money to fix more spots in the lineup. Most likely Danks will be a fourth or fifth starter for the White Sox in 2015, and why pay that much money to a player who is that far back in the rotation?

Next: Jeff Samardzija would make White Sox a contender again

Danks’ contract was bad before the ink even dried the day he signed the deal, but the White Sox can’t continue to have a right-handed starter who is paid over $14 million per season finish 11-11 with a 4.74 ERA.

Even by the end of the season, he didn’t do much, finishing 2-5 with a 5.31 ERA in his final 10 outings from Aug. 5-Sept. 27. In that span, he allowed 34 earned runs and had 35 strikeouts.