One part of us is jumping up and down and ready to take Marlins Die-Hards' advice for celebratory beverages.

Another part is convinced that, because it looks as if his new 4-year contract had to be squeezed out of the skinflint Marlins in an unprecedented public shaming, Josh Johnson is naturally going to see his elbow spontaneously combust or have his arm bitten off by a shark or lose a pitching finger in a horrifying grounds crew mishap.

Jeffrey Loria will scream "I told you so," plunge into his money pile like a gallerist Scrooge McDuck, and revert right back to trading off all the drinking-age talent.

But self-loathing fantasies aside, it's a great night to be a Fish fan. After a months-long and tortuous negotiation that was reported by his agent to have arrived at an "impasse" weeks ago, Johnson confirmed this afternoon that he has signed a guaranteed $39 million dollar, 4-year contract.

The deal ensures he will stay a Marlin through 2013.

First pitch in the new stadium? You know it.

"I'm excited,'' he told ESPN. "It sets up me and my family for life. One of the best parts is knowing where I'm going to be the next four years. I won't have to hear about any trade rumors or anything like that. I'm happy to be in South Florida.''

Can we get an amen? Johnson, who made the all-star team last year and owns a 22-6 record since having Tommy John surgery in 2008, is coming off a breakout season in 2009. It's thrilling to think that if all goes well, the Marlins will be the beneficiaries of the best years of one of the best young pitchers in baseball.

With MVP candidate Hanley Ramirez locked down as well, will the Marlins finally taste the good life, add on, and make a sustained run at the postseason? 

Best not to get ahead of ourselves. It may be just a coincidence (cough notacoincidence cough), but the Marlins' new-found willingness to give Johnson what he wanted comes just days after Major League Baseball and the players union came down hard on the Marlins over possible revenue-sharing violations.

The basic agreement requires teams use revenue sharing receipts to improve performance on the field. But with a share that's possibly as high as $80 million, Florida's payroll isn't even half that. The Player's Union took exception, all but inferring Loria had used the funds to pay off debt or pad the franchise pockets rather than provide a better product on the field.

The results of higher payroll practice are debatable -- the Marlins spent $113 million less than the Mets in 2009 and finished 17 games ahead -- but with a merry-go-round where a clubhouse should be, the team couldn't get a foothold in the standings.

No matter what caused it, or who caved when, signing Josh Johnson to a long-term deal is the first step toward putting together a playoffs-worthy squad.

For once, Marlins brass, our heartiest congrats.