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Sveum downplays Cubs-Fielder rumors

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09:24 AM ET 12.17 | Whether the Cubs are the front-runners to sign Prince Fielder or just interested observers remains the most hotly debated question of Theo Epstein's first offseason in Chicago. Efforts to reach Epstein for comment Friday were unsuccessful, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum downplayed the latest Fielder rumors.

Chicago Tribune

Prince Fielder, Icon SMI Prince Fielder, Icon SMI
December 17, 2011  09:45 AM ET

Honestly, what the hell does it matter? The Cubs have made big free agent splashes before with guys such as Alfonso Soriano. Who the hell cares? Sign Fielder. Sign Yu Darvish. You're still the Cubs, and until you break the curse or stigma or whatever the hell it is that has plagued this franchise for over a century, IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER.

December 17, 2011  09:45 AM ET

(Bill Murray in Meatballs)

IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER.

December 17, 2011  10:16 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER.

Obviously matters to somebody. The Cubs sure always manage to garner a lot of ink, so you'll just have to deal with the media envy.

It's true. Someone will overpay badly for Fielder, and it won't be Epstein.

December 17, 2011  10:34 AM ET

Boras has to realize teams are still reading through that 73 page prospectus on why his client belongs in the HOF now.

December 17, 2011  10:34 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Obviously matters to somebody. The Cubs sure always manage to garner a lot of ink, so you'll just have to deal with the media envy. It's true. Someone will overpay badly for Fielder, and it won't be Epstein.

Midwest media bias.

December 17, 2011  10:37 AM ET

This guy would hit a lot of home runs in Chicago and gain another 80lbs from the deep dish pizza.

December 17, 2011  10:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

The Cubs sure always manage to garner a lot of ink...

... and they always manage to fail anyway. How DO they do it? It makes for great entertainment.

I'm just surprised they chose a picture of Fielder instead of Epstein.

December 17, 2011  11:13 AM ET

Maybe the Cubs like a lot of teams would rather dedicate big money in next years FA class? A much better class.

December 17, 2011  11:39 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

Maybe the Cubs like a lot of teams would rather dedicate big money in next years FA class? A much better class.

The available talent doesn't seem to match the greatest needs in the marketplace. The Prince is a great talent, but... it was a bad year for a first baseman to put himself out to the highest bidder.

Theo's greatest successes were in securing talent that was passed up by others. Examples: Ortiz, Lowell. His greatest failures were overpaying for overhyped talent. Examples: Dice-K, Lackey, Drew. I don't see him eager to give an expensive, long-term contract to Fielder. The Prince very well may end up with a shorter contract where he can test the market again when the need is greater. By then with his weight, his only options may be as a DH.

December 17, 2011  11:45 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Prince is a great talent, but... it was a bad year for first baseman to put themselves out to the highest bidder.

I sure don't hear Pujols complaining, and before it's all over Fielder won't be complaining either.

December 17, 2011  12:00 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

I sure don't hear Pujols complaining, and before it's all over Fielder won't be complaining either.

In the game of musical chairs, Pujols got the chair first. If the two of them weren't both out on the market at the same time when many big-market teams had secured their first baseman position, Fielder might have captured that job.

Given the girth of Prince and the contract he wants, it makes more sense for him to go AL as did Pujols. He got the situation which best suited what he had to offer - the ability to evolve to the DH with age. Prince can't do that with the Cubs or any other NL team. So if he's picked up by an NL club, it'll likely be for a shorter contract.

As for the deal that Anaheim gave Pujols, well... Many AL clubs may be the beneficiary of them committing so much revenue for that long. The Angels will soon be saddled with the burdens of other clubs who paid too much for too long, and are now looking at a serious luxury tax if they want to make a splash in the next few years.

I'm with 50yearfan on this one. The Cubbies are smart to sit and wait. Borass isn't likely to get what he wants for his client. But we shall see.

December 17, 2011  01:03 PM ET

Unless the Cubs are attempting to maintain a low profile in regards to Prince,they seem to have been clear their dollars are headed for player development. They're obviously more than one player away.

December 17, 2011  01:08 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Honestly, what the hell does it matter? The Cubs have made big free agent splashes before with guys such as Alfonso Soriano. Who the hell cares? Sign Fielder. Sign Yu Darvish. You're still the Cubs, and until you break the curse or stigma or whatever the hell it is that has plagued this franchise for over a century, IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER.

Maybe it's those day games and that crumbling dump of a ballpark.

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December 17, 2011  02:19 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Obviously matters to somebody. The Cubs sure always manage to garner a lot of ink, so you'll just have to deal with the media envy. It's true. Someone will overpay badly for Fielder, and it won't be Epstein.

its either toronto, or seatle, but the cubs could be the mysterious team in the bid for fielder,the nationals and rangers are the other two teams who would love to land this player, but to my believe, he would fit better with the nationals where he can have the best seasons in his career!!

December 17, 2011  02:24 PM ET
QUOTE(#11):

Borass isn't likely to get what he wants

we all know that boras plays a big part in this deal, but could it be fielder himself who don't want a short term deal? after all it makes sense what he really wants, a 7 years/165 millions deal= to a 35 years old when his contract would be over!!

December 17, 2011  02:27 PM ET

boras has good relations with the nationals, plus he has several players that he its the agent, harper, werth, and a few more in the nationals roster!!

 
December 17, 2011  02:28 PM ET

could it be the jays who would be the big team with fielder by the next season?

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