MLB Rumors: Chicago Cubs Must Sign Prince Fielder After Aramis Ramirez Backstab

Now that Aramis Ramirez has decided to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs must make the move to sign the Brewers' first baseman, Prince Fielder. Rumors are brewing, no pun intended, that the Cubs just may be thinking to make that move.

When the Cubs decided to not retain Ramirez for the long-run, many were hoping that would be the end of Ramirez and the Cubs. Now they are going to have to face him every time they play the Brewers.

The Cubs lost perhaps their biggest bat to their division rivals, and now it is going to hurt badly if the Cubs are beaten by Ramirez when the two teams clash. If the Cubs were to add Fielder, they would at least have some fire power of their own.

Of course, signing Fielder won't be cheap, but at only 27 years old he is worth the money. Especially if Epstein can get him on a front-loaded, shorter-term contract. There is no doubt that the Cubs could greatly benefit from the power that Fielder will provide.

Now that the Cubs are officially out on Ramirez and likely out on first baseman Carlos Pena, there are not that many options remaining to fill that void in a power hitter.

With Fielder, they get a guy who can put up at least 30 home runs and will be huge in driving in runs with guys like Starlin Castro batting in front of him. Over four of his last five seasons, Fielder has had more then 100 RBI. That kind of consistency is something the Cubs need in their line-up.

The Cubs have been relatively quiet this offseason, mostly acquiring small time talent like free agent right fielder David DeJesus and third baseman Ian Stewart from the Colorado Rockies. The Cubs have been making smart moves, but it is time for them to stop being so hesitant to pull the trigger.

The Brewers are down now that Ryan Braun has allegedly tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and the St Louis Cardinals lost their MVP slugger in Albert Pujols. There is an opening to take this division and the fist step in doing so will be signing Fielder.

Fielder shouldn't be another Alfonso Soriano. Yes, that is the fear, but it shouldn't be. Fielder is just entering his prime and there is no doubt that he could benefit greatly from playing at Wrigley.

The Cubs need a lefty and a big bat, and there is no better option right now than Fielder. All kudos go to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer for being smart with the Cubs money, but now is their chance to make one big move while their opponents are down.

Fielder is their guy and they must make the move to get him on the North Side.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State Football.