The Florida Marlins avoided arbitration with SP Josh Johnson on Wednesday by signing the 24 year old right hander to a 1yr $1.4 million deal which includes $50,000 in incentives. Johnson had a wonderful rookie season in 2006 when he went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA. Late in that season however Johnson felt tightness in his forearm on his throwing arm. After Tommy John surgery cost him his 2007 season, Johnson return to the Marlins rotation in 2008 in style.

Johnson was 7-1 in 14 starts in 2008 with a 3.71 ERA. Johnson logged 87 1/3, striking out 77 and walking 27. Johnson made an amazing recovery from his Tommy John surgery and proved he was worth keeping around. With Johnson signed, the Marlins should feel good about their chances in 2009. Johnson, along with Nolasco, is perhaps the key piece of a young and talented pitching rotation that has the potential to lead the Marlins to the post season in 2009.

In signing Johnson, the Marlins avoided going to arbitration with him. That leaves the Marlins with 8 players still arbitration-eligible: Jorge Cantu, Ricky Nolasco, Dan Uggla, Dallas McPherson, Logan Kensing, Jeremy Hermida, Alfredo Amezaga, and Cody Ross.