MLB Free Agents 2012: Cubs Shouldn't Shun Prince Fielder for Rebuilding Efforts

Prince Fielder's free agency is still the greatest mystery of the Major League Baseball offseason. However, it would appear that you can scratch the Chicago Cubs off the list of serious contenders.

According to Ken Davidoff of New York Newsday, the team is committed to the future and a long-term rebuild, and those plans do not include paying top dollar for a premium free agent right now, even though the report says that Fielder would like to play there.

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Fielder wanted the Cubs; they’re a reasonable distance from his Florida home and he has outstanding numbers at Wrigley Field. The Cubs, however, appear committed to a full rebuild for 2012.

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While I agree with the Cubs' thinking about the future for the first time in years, there is no reason for them not to at least remain in contact with Fielder about a contract. 

He is just 27 years old and is entering the prime of his career. If Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer can make the shrewd draft picks and trades that they did when they worked together in Boston, there is no reason that the Cubs can't be contenders in three years.

Fielder will still be in his prime when he is 30 years old. He can be a middle-of-the-order hitter that this team hasn't had since Derrek Lee was an MVP candidate in 2006.

While the Cubs should stay in the bidding for Fielder, there is no reason for them to go overboard. If there is some team out there that offers him an Albert Pujols-like deal, forget it.

But if the Cubs were willing to offer him a five-year contract for a little bit more average annual money than anyone else, that would be a good deal for them.

The Fielder negotiations will likely pick up steam over the next few weeks, and the Cubs should keep the lines of communication open.

He is not the savior that will turn everything around in 2012, but in three years there is no reason to think that the Cubs can't contend in the National League Central.  

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