According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Josh Johnson has agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract extension with the Marlins. Considering that Johnson’s agent Matt Sosnick originally used Zack Greinke’s four-year, $38 million contract as a framework, this is a pretty good deal. The new contract buys out his final two years of arbitration and his first two years of free agency. Johnson, who turns 26 later this month, emerged as Florida’s ace last season, winning 15 games while posting a 3.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 191 strikeouts in 209 innings. He has a 3.34 ERA in 47 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2008. (Rotoworld)

Previously:

Josh Johnson’s agent Matt Sosnick is “cautiously optimistic” about reaching a long-term deal with the Marlins. After talks reached an impasse in November, Sosnick is now saying he’s “open to anything,” including the possibility of resuming talks during the season. For now, the two sides are just “just throwing ideas back and forth” on the arbitration-eligible right-hander, but Sosnick is “much more optimistic” that he felt a couple of months ago. It makes sense since the Marlins reached an agreement with the players’ union to increase spending in anticipation of their new ballpark. If an extension can’t be reached, Johnson figures to make over $4 million in arbitration. (Rotoworld)

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports that Josh Johnson’s agent Matt Sosnick still won’t agree to anything other than a four-year deal with the Marlins, but his stance has softened compared to November. We’re not sure what that means since if anything, Sosnick should have the upper hand with everyone around baseball taking a closer look at how the Marlins conduct their business. The chances of Johnson actually getting the four-year deal he covets should be better than ever. The two sides are reportedly negotiating a new contract for Johnson this week, but if an extension can’t get done, he’ll continue to go year-to-year in arbitration. (Rotoworld)