The Marlins have agreed to a four year contract with Josh Johnson, the first pitcher they have given a long-term contract to since this ownership group took over.  You may know that the only other “long-term” contract they have is with Hanley Ramirez.  The team is starting to build towards the opening of their new stadium.  Here is the Clark Spencer piece that gives details.

Though Johnson says that owner Jeff Loria promised to get a four year deal in place, it seems very interesting that if follows so quickly on the team being told they have to spend money. If this was already in the works, why not finish it, and announce it last week end running the whole “Marlins are pocketing money” conversation.  The Marlins clearly were aware of the what the Player’s Union and the Commissioner’s office were writing, so it seems odd that it had to come to that.

The question is does this signing get them off the hook enough that they can still trade Dan Uggla, their second baseman who is due a big raise in arbitration.  The team had been shopping Uggla, and many thought after the hand slap that they received from MLB that they would feel obligated to keep him and pay him.  But, now, perhaps, that isn’t required.  After all, Uggla is not in their plans for the new stadium and the team has shown that it the new stadium that is guiding them.