MLB Free Agents 2012: Cubs Must Do Everything They Can to Sign Prince Fielder

If new Cubs president Theo Epstein wants to really start his era off right, he's going to have to do everything he can to bring in free agent slugger Prince Fielder.

All indications are that he's doing just that, but trying won't be enough in this case.

The Cubs desperately need a big-name free agent like Fielder, and with most of the marquee names already off the market, they are running out of options.

It's not that Cubs fans won't show up to the ballpark. They are known for packing out Wrigley Field no matter the circumstances.

They need something to believe in, though.

After years of disappointing seasons, getting their hopes up and dealing with just about every fluke situation known to the sports world, this fan base needs something they can hold on to.

How long will the history of Wrigley, the long-standing tradition of the Cubbies, the great atmosphere or the ivy vines growing out the outfield walls be enough to hold fans over?

They need a product they can believe in, and bringing in Fielder would be a huge step in the right direction.

According to Drew Silva of hardballtalk.nbcsports.com, the Cubs have been speaking with Fielder's agent Scott Boras:

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According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago, the Cubs’ decision-makers first expressed a desire to sign Fielder back at the general managers meetings in mid-November and have kept an open line of communication with agent Scott Boras ever since.

On Friday morning, Cubs manager Dale Sveum told CSNChicago.com that no one within the organization had spoken directly to Fielder this offseason.

But there have been direct chats with Boras.

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Talking is great, but the Cubs need to start putting this thing into action.

They need a star they can build this new image around, and Fielder is the only logical choice at this point.

Believe you me, he is a star, and he would go a long way in the building process of this team.

Last season he hit .299 with 38 home runs, 120 RBI and an on base percentage of .415.

You have to bring this guy in.

It's a new era of Chicago cubs baseball, but that's not going to mean anything unless they sign Prince Fielder.