John Danks’ deal demonstrates White Sox are in ‘win mode’

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Updated: January 31, 2012 8:25AM

John Danks was surprised that his deal got done.

“It came out of nowhere,’’ he said.

“My agent [Jeff Berry] called me, and we were both surprised and happy, and it went fairly quick.’’

The White Sox made what was leaked Dec. 21 official, announcing the five-year, $65 million extension for the left-hander who figures to be the team’s Opening Day starter now that Mark Buehrle is gone.

Danks, 26, will receive $8 million in 2012, which would have been his final year of arbitration eligibility, and $14.5 million in each of the 2013-16 seasons. He reportedly has a no-trade clause in the first year and a limited no-trade in the next four.

Danks wasn’t the only one surprised by his deal. When general manager Ken Williams followed up his trade of closer Sergio Santos for minor-league pitcher Nestor Molina at the winter meetings by uttering “rebuilding,” it appeared as though Danks — who would have been eligible for free agency after this season — would be traded.

“We went into the winter meetings, as I tried to explain, looking at all options,’’ Williams said Thursday. “This was one of them. We explored the trade market, we explored the value there and obviously decided on doing this instead.’’

Williams said the Sox are “still in win mode” while adding “you can still be in a little bit of a rebuilding phase.

“I tried to articulate it wouldn’t be a true rebuilding because we have too many veterans, good ones, who are looking to bounce back. We’ve filtered in our fair share of minor-league players as we’ve gone along. It was never going to be that traditional rebuilding anyway.’’

Williams was willing to deal Danks, and he might yet trade right-hander Gavin Floyd, left-hander Matt Thornton and outfielder Carlos Quentin if the price is right.

“You listen, and you keep the lines of communication open,’’ he said. “I envision the starting rotation and the guys for the most part in the bullpen [being] there to ­compete.”