The $240 million reason why Dad wanted me to play Second Base

As a kid, my Dad encouraged me to bat left handed. I learned to do it and hit from the left side all through Little League and High School.
My Dad also convinced me that I was not a shortstop or a pitcher. He made me learn to play second base. I did that all through Little League and for the better part of my high school days (apparently I got older and slower earlier than most and moved to first base my senior year).
On Friday a left handed hitting second baseman signed a 10 year $240 million contract.  Dad was 40 years ahead of his time!
I feel a kinship with Robinson Cano in that neither of us is worth $240 million.  He's probably a little closer at this point, but my goodness, a 42 year old second baseman that the Mariners will be paying $25 million...how is that going to work out?
Cano has had a solid career.  According to baseball reference.com his career averages are 24 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .309 batting average   Good, but $25 million good? 
Cano will also be moving to a hitter's graveyard in Seattle.  A text or phone call to Adrian Beltre might have spooked Cano. Beltre followed a 48 home run year in Dodger Stadium, which is not known as a hitter's park, with a 19 home run season in Seattle. Beltre's career seemed doomed even as his numbers improved slightly over the next three seasons. Ultimately, an escape to Boston followed by a free agency move Texas put Beltre back on the road that may lead to Cooperstown.
Why would the Mariners do this? Can't they look down Interstate 5 and see how well a 10 year $240 million deal is working out for the Angels?  Didn't the Tigers just hit the eject button on their $200 million deal with Prince Fielder?
The Mariners are seeking relevance. Attendance in Seattle has cratered. Safeco Field is a beautiful ballpark.  The area around the stadium is vibrant.  The team inside has been terrible. The Griffey Jr./Randy Johnson days are long gone, replaced by dwindling crowds.  Attendance in 2013 was half of what it was in 2002.
Does Robinson Cano fire up the Emerald City and put people back in the seats? That seems hard to believe. What is more likely is that a lot of Dads will be taking a cue from mine and turning their right handed hitting shortstops into left handed hitting second baseman.