CHICAGO -- If the Chicago White Sox consider John Danks a big part of their future, they aren't in a hurry to get the left-hander locked in beyond the 2012 season.

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Kim Klement/US PresswireJohn Danks won just eight games last season, his lowest total in four years with the White Sox.

A source with knowledge of club's contract negotiations said the White Sox have made no overtures to Danks' agent regarding a long-term contract.

Danks is eligible for salary arbitration for one more season and will then be eligible for free agency in 2013. Danks could make somewhere between $7 million and $8 million next season in arbitration.

There have been rumors that the White Sox would consider trading Danks, but if Mark Buehrle leaves via free agency that would leave the rotation without two key starters.

The White Sox could also be willing to retain Danks on another one-year contract and work on a long-term deal during spring training. The club typically doesn't negotiate deals during the season, so if Danks isn't locked in by Opening Day, he could end up hitting the open market in 2013.

The key to the whole scenario could be the Carlos Quentin situation. While the White Sox could still have some hesitation about trading Danks, they are rumored to be more willing to deal Quentin since Dayan Viciedo is prepared to take over in right field.

If a Quentin deal could return a young starter who has plenty of upside and is ready to make an impact on a major-league rotation quickly, it could lead the White Sox to trading a pitcher such as Gavin Floyd or even Danks.

Between Danks and Floyd, it is Danks who figures to get the most talent in return. But Danks leaves them with at least one veteran lefty if Buehrle leaves.

As of early last week, general manager Kenny Williams said player personnel activity was slow but he expected that to pick up after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Williams has said his players are popular among teams willing to make a trade this offseason, but apparently there hasn't been an offer that has moved the White Sox toward making a deal.

With the winter meetings in Dallas just one week away and teams about to get serious about their rosters for next season, the White Sox will see if those trade offers get any more enticing.