Chicago Cubs Interest in Prince Fielder Is a Smokescreen Just Like Albert Pujols

Just like the Albert Pujols negotiations, the Cubs are purposely not trying to quash their reported interest in Prince Fielder, even though they have only a small chance of signing the Milwaukee first baseman.

Yes, the Cubs presented Pujols an offer, but it was one they knew wouldn't be accepted. It was likely for five years with an average annual salary well above what other teams were offering.

In other words, Theo Epstein and the Cubs were hoping that Albert would take a shorter-term contract worth more per year than the other offers.

But, in reality, they knew that wouldn't happen.

Still, this kept them in the news and helped stoke the Cubs fan fires as they hoped to retain their season ticket fanbase.

Meanwhile, news keeps coming out that the Cubs are the leading candidate for the services of Fielder.

Not only is that wrong, it has been admitted by Cubs manager Dale Sveum that “At this point, I think it’s a lot of media talk more than us doing anything.” Sveum, who became close to Fielder during six years as a Milwaukee Brewers coach, went on further, “We haven’t had any talks with Prince, and I haven’t had any conversations with him. We haven’t initiated any contact at all.”

But even if the Cubs have told Fielder's agent, the notorious Scott Boras, that they will jump in at the end, one has to wonder if the former Milwaukee slugger would take a deal much shorter than what Albert received.

It is clear that the Cubs aren't likely to go past five years in any offer, and that won't net players like Pujols or Fielder.

The Cubs need to stoke the Cubs fan fire. After all, they have season tickets to sell.