The Florida Marlins plan to talk to agent Matt Sosnick this week regarding a contract extension for Josh Johnson, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
Last month, we recapped the progress, or lack thereof, that the Marlins have made in their attempt to lock up their ace to a long-term deal. At that point, Sosnick was still optimistic about the chances of Johnson remaining in Florida for the foreseeable future. Frisaro notes that, as we previously heard, a key factor in the negotiations is whether or not Florida will guarantee Johnson a fourth year. Sosnick says that if the Marlins make that guarantee, then he will listen.
Frisaro writes that if the two sides don't work out a contract extension, Johnson might be in line to earn about $4.2MM in his second arbitration-eligible year. The right-hander earned $1.45MM in 2009. Frisaro's 2010 salary estimate seems light, as it puts Johnson in the Zach Duke class rather than in league with Felix Hernandez or Justin Verlander. Even Joe Blanton received $5.475MM in his second arbitration year.
