As you’ve surely heard by now, various reports indicate the lowly Seattle Mariners have managed to sign All Star free agent second baseman Robinson Cano (the team has yet to confirm the news). If it’s true, as far as deals go it’s a blockbuster, and one that instantly energizes a fan base that has grown increasingly apathetic of late. Dare I say it makes the M’s relevant.

So what did it take to pull off this unimaginable feat?

Apparently it’s simple: $240 million over ten years.

For those playing at home, that’s a SHIT TON of cash.

Let’s put it in perspective …

Completed in 1962, the Space Needle cost $4.5 million. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, that’s roughly $35 million in 2013 dollars … meaning Cano’s contract is worth almost seven Space Needles.

It cost $517 million to construct Safeco Field, or $725 million in 2013 dollars, according to Wikipedia … meaning Cano’s contract is about one-third of the cost of the team’s stadium.

The entire CenturyLink Field complex, meanwhile, cost $558 million in 2013 dollars … meaning the Cano contract is about 43-percent of the total cost.

A Dick’s Deluxe cost $2.70 … meaning Cano could buy 89 million of them.

The permanent fix for the Skagit River Bridge was $8.5 million … meaning Cano could have paid for it 28 times over.

The list price for a 787 Dreamliner is $249 million, according to Bloomberg … meaning in ten years Cano could probably find the difference in his couch cushions.

The Houston Astros opened the 2013 season with a $26 million active payroll, and at one point had it down to less than $13 million … which is a little over half a Cano.

The President of the United States makes $400,000 annually … meaning at $24 million a year, Cano will be making 60 times more than the Leader of the Free World to play second base in Seattle.