Twitter Reacts to Robinson Cano Signing 10-Year Deal with Mariners

Robinson Cano, the consensus No. 1 free agent available this MLB offseason, has agreed to a lifetime contract with the Seattle Mariners, tweets ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas:

"

#Mariners and Cano agree. $240 million/10 years. Physical next monday in Seattle

— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) December 6, 2013"

This hilariously dwarfs any of the club's previous free-agent acquisitions in terms of total value:

"

Largest free agent signing with Mariners (total value)- Robinson Cano $240M, Adrian Beltre (2004-05)- $64M

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 6, 2013"

In fact, Alex Rodriguez is the only major league player to ever receive a more substantial guarantee in free agency. He did so twice:

"

Largest free-agent contracts (total value) -- Alex Rodriguez $275M, Alex Rodriguez $252M, Albert Pujols/Robinson Cano $240M

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 6, 2013"

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times notes the similarities between this enormous deal and Albert Pujols':

"

Pujols started his 10/240 deal at age 32 season. Cano would start his at 31. #Angels #Mariners

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 6, 2013"

When Cano chose hip-hop mogul Jay Z and Roc Nation Sports to represent him this spring, there was rampant speculation that he would re-sign with the New York Yankees.

But his former team maxed out at seven years and $175 million in the bidding for this superstar second baseman:

"

Told by source #Yankees let Cano know they would go 7-$175M, which was more per yr, but nowhere near #Mariners $240M total

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 6, 2013"

Many fans can understand why Cano took the more lucrative offer:

"

Criticism of the Mariners and Cano for spending/wanting money is inane.

— The Captain's Blog (@williamnyy23) December 6, 2013"

"

Hate Robbie Cano for leaving the Yankees but you'd be a moron not to take $240mill

— Jason Post (@jasonpostt) December 6, 2013"

"

Don't be mad @ Cano. Who doesn't want to take most money possible? Plus, he's won WS ring. Just sad us in East won't see him play. #madloot

— Rob Parker (@RobParkerLocal4) December 6, 2013"

"

How can anybody hate on Robinson Cano for this deal? Dude's getting paid $240 million to play baseball in a state with legal weed

— Reid Foster (@The_Reid) December 6, 2013"

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports jokes that Jay Z will have to find his client some non-traditional endorsement deals: 

"

Looking forward to seeing the marketing opportunities for Robinson Cano in Seattle. Seafood, flannel, rain barrels.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2013"

This expensive splash won't single-handedly elevate the Mariners into contention. Plenty of users doubt that the World Series-less franchise can ever regain relevance:

"

Thrilled the Yankees had some sense. Cano is great, but he will never sniff the playoffs again.

— Carl Dispoto (@cdispoto) December 6, 2013"

"

Why go to Seattle of all teams? Cano will never see the playoffs there much less a championship

— Steven Childress (@Childress35) December 6, 2013"

"

Cano got $240 million to play in Seattle from April-September, and to practice golf in October

— D-Mart (@Dmarts256) December 6, 2013"

However, Seattle will continue spending to fill out the roster with veteran talent:

"

The Mariners aren't done. They needed Cano to establish credibility. Now they use this signing to recruit more free agents.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 6, 2013"