"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."