What a Mariners and Astros mega-trade could look like between AL West rivals

The financial commitment

This is a way for Houston to potentially find an ace, and reload their farm, while also getting off the potentially large contracts that Tucker and Verlander can carry. 

If a deal is struck, the Mariners would likely be taking on around $6 million left on Tucker’s contract, and $11 million on Verlander's (Mets ate half of his salary when they traded him back to Houston last year). While the $17 million in added salary for two stars doesn't seem crazy, you never know with management.

The numbers get a bit on the high end next year, as Tucker will likely make well over $20 million in his final year of arbitration, while Verlander will have a $35 million dollar player option. That's a steep financial commitment, but it's very possible Verlander could walk away, and both deals are in the short term, off the books after 2025.

If Verlander sticks around, that's expensive, but also great for the team and fanbase. For Tucker, you're getting 1.5 years to sell him on the team and the city of Seattle, why Julio Rodriguez and the pitching of this team will be the best place for him to be happy and why winning here will help become a legend.

It's also important to remember that in this deal, you're gonna see a rise in merchandise sales, and you're looking at extra sellouts in both the regular season, and potentially playoffs. This is the type of trade where you're expecting at least ten extra home playoff games over the next two seasons. That's real revenue right there that's only been felt one time since 2001.