Usually, when a stud ballplayer’s name is being mentioned in the same sentence as the Marlins, it’s because he’s been traded away from them for prospects. But apparently MLB’s little crackdown on the Fish forcing them to spend more money has worked.
Just days after agreeing to raise payroll, the Marlins have signed pitcher Josh Johnson to a four-year, $39 million extension, according to ESPN.
Johnson is coming off of a breakout 2009 campaign in which he racked up a 15-5 record with a 3.23 ERA and 191 strikeouts in 209 innings. All that came before his 26th birthday, which is at the end of this month.
The Marlins have Johnson locked up for his prime years, and it looks like he’ll be the one to start the first game in the Marlins’ new stadium. Obviously it’s a great signing when you can get a stud like Johnson for less than $10 million/year.
As a huge Marlins fan (one of like nine), I’m ecstatic. I had already accepted that Johnson was likely to sign elsewhere, but MLB’s and the union’s crackdown make the Marlins look cheaper than ever, so maybe this was a way to avoid a public relations nightmare. Regardless of the cause, I need a roll of paper towels to wipe away the gobs of semen that have crusted my boxers from the mere thought of having Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson signed through their prime seasons.
Johnson was fourth in the NL in FIP last season, and he seems to be improving every year. He’s not going to beat out Lincecum for the Cy Young anytime soon (nobody is), but he’ll easily be a candidate.
