Chicago Cubs reportedly in contact with Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs, according to reports on Tuesday, November 29, are engaged in talks with the agents of Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. Although no official words came in this regard, the contacts have indeed been established.
Tom Ricketts, the chairman of the Chicago Cubs, did not accept or deny the establishment of such contacts. Since there was no official confirmation of it, Ricketts did, however, say it is not out of question to offer a long term deal to anyone of the two.
But all this will be done by Theo Epstein, the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. Ricketts has empowered Epstein to make whatever decision he deems is good for the club.
"Like I've always said, there is one person responsible for making those decisions, and one person accountable for those results," Ricketts said Tuesday. "So if [Epstein] believes that's what's in the best interests of the team, then he's got my support."
But before any result to these talks comes out, the Chicago Cubs have to first handle the deals they have with Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano. Soriano is to be paid $54 million in the period of next three years, while Zambrano has to be paid $18 million
next year.
Given the amount of money involved here, it can never be said with certitude as to what the Cubs have in their mind as far as the contacts of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are concerned. Both are indeed to be paid a big sum if any team intends to take
them.
Fielder, according to a report, will want to have a $200 million contract for eight years. What his agent Scott Boras says and does in the days to come is something unknown to baseball circles.
Albert Pujols had already declined to accept an arbitration offer by his team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Given the performance of the player and being one of the highest paid players around, Pujols will be looking for a big contract. Before Spring Training
begins, it will be seen which team manages to acquire any of the two tremendous players.
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