John Danks designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox

John Danks, taken #9 overall in the 2003 draft by the Texas Rangers, has been designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox, according to reports on Twitter.

Danks, 31, was part of the highly controversial trade that brought Brandon McCarthy to Texas prior to the 2007 season.  McCarthy was unable to stay healthy with the Rangers, although he resurrected his career with the Oakland A's, and has had a few successful seasons, although he missed 2015 due to Tommy John surgery.

Danks, meanwhile, after a rough rookie season for Chicago, had a run of success from 2008-10, putting up a 16.9 bWAR over that three year stretch.  Danks' success, combined with McCarthy's failure, was a huge black mark on Daniels' record, with Randy Galloway calling it "the [trade] that will get him fired" in May, 2007.

Danks was never the same after 2010, however...from 2011-16, he put up a 4.79 ERA in 756 IP, with a 3.0 bWAR over that stretch.  Danks had shoulder surgery in 2012, and was really never the same after that.

Danks has a 7.25 ERA in 4 starts this season for Chicago, and with $14.25M due this year on the final year of a 5 year, $65M contract he signed prior to 2012, he is almost certain to go unclaimed.

Danks is a native of Round Rock, and I am wondering if the Rangers might not look to bring him to the Express on a minor league deal once he clears waivers.