Josh Johnson Signs Extension, Fans Heads’ Explode in Jubilation

The deal is done! The deal is done!

"Pitcher Josh Johnson reached an agreement on a four-year, guaranteed $39 million contract that will keep him with the Florida Marlins through 2013. The pitcher confirmed the agreement to ESPN.com Thursday.“I’m excited,” Johnson said. “It sets up me and my family for life. One of the best parts is knowing where I’m going to be the next four years. I won’t have to hear about any trade rumors or anything like that. I’m happy to be in South Florida.”The deal will pay Johnson $3.75 million this season, $7.75 million in 2011 and $13.75 million in each of the 2012 and 2013 seasons."

Let’s put this into proper perspective. Zack Greinke signed an extremely similar deal coming off a very similar season and situation as Josh Johnson’s. It’s no surprise that the terms of the contract were as such. Johnson’s yearly salaries look pretty much as expected, with him making a little less than $4M this upcoming season, little less than $8M in the next year, and $14M in the following two seasons. Keep in mind that I had said something along the lines of $4M – $8M – $14M -$15M for the salaries to line up to around $42M. Getting JJ at those prices for those two free agent seasons is an extreme bargain. However, it goes in line with what Matt Sosnick has been saying: Johnson wanted to remain in Florida, and the only thing holding him back was the fourth year. If the money was close to the Greinke contract, a contract that appeared quite team-friendly at the time of the signing, Johnson would likely take it, and in this case he did.

I’ll look and talk about the trade some more tomorrow, but for now, go ahead and post your mind blowing jubilation in response to this awesome signing here. Enjoy Marlins fans, the day has finally come! Huzzah!