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John Danks would have brought the most back in terms of younger players, but he's also at an age where signing him to an extension for a team that is not (and can't be because of the contracts on the team) in full blown rebuilding mode does make sense, and I think they did so without the intention of moving him. You could make the argument that this contract was a bit overpriced though.
I do think this puts Gavin Floyd even closer to the chopping block. The White Sox aren't in true rebuilding mode, but they are somewhat in transition mode.
Next season, Chris Sale will probably have some growing pains in the starting rotation, but there's little doubt of his potential upside and really came on as the season progressed. Jake Peavy will be in his final season in a White Sox uniform and that will clear a lot of money off this payroll. Phillip Humber gets another year to show what kind of starter he is - he was very good in the first half, and poor in the 2nd half, perhaps he wore down some, and maybe the league figured him out, but I think next year will be a great measuring stick of whether he can be counted on in the future. For the 5th role, many think Stewart is a better bullpen arm, but Kenny Williams seems to be in the other camp. In either case, let them battle it out, and the loser could either go to the bullpen or start the season in the minors. It's also possible the White Sox go back to their 6 man rotation although doing so in April with off-days more often doesn't make much sense - although the White Sox have at least 2 guys (Sale and Peavy) whose innings will be watched closely and 2 others (Humber and the #5 spot) that may need to be watched closely as well.
Next season, the rotation will have (pick the order) 1) John Danks 2) Jake Peavy 3) Chris Sale 4) Phillip Humber 5) Competition between Axerlrod and Stewart....
Molina will be a guy that the team is hopeful can step into the rotation either late next season or for 2013 and they may be able to add another pitcher with upside from a Floyd trade.
In any case, the White Sox rotation is a young one outside of Peavy and he'll be gone after this season, most likely replaced with Molina if he continues to show progress, and most of these guys will be either higher draft picks or young guys Williams got through trades of veteran players. Is this a full blown rebuild? No, but it is a rotation in transition.
Looking at the offense, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Paul Konerko are going to be here for the next 2-3 seasons (and it may be 4 in Rios' case). Alexi Ramirez is signed for 4 more years as well, and their top minor league talent is here (Morel at 3B, Beckham at 2B, Flowers at C, and Viceido in LF). It looks, like the pitching staff, as a team in transition with A.J probably passing the torch to Flowers (although Flowers has to show me a lot more) after 2012, Beckham at 2B (and probably challenged to keep his job from one of the players acquired from the Ozzie Guillen trade), Morel at 3B, and Carlos Quentin most likely moved this off-season for a minor league prospect - The Sox have to play Rios next season, and if they combine him with De Aza, Viceido and Lillibridge, it at least allows for a rotation of sorts.
So, with the Danks signing, basically replacing Buerhle's contract, the Sox do need to shed payroll and still add a few more pieces to the minor league's - it looks likely that Quentin and Floyd will be moved. I also would guess that either Frasor or Thornton is also moved, and if they are successful in doing this can still save around $20 million off of last year's payroll.
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