As usual, once again Danny Bernstein is wrong.

Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports, Nov 29, 2011 2:33 AM ET

The Cubs are pursuing both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, and not simply because the free-agent first basemen are difference-makers.

No, the Cubs also are acknowledging two emerging realities – a dwindling number of sluggers available in future free-agent markets, and the restrictions on spending in the amateur draft under baseball’s new collective-bargaining agreement.

New Cubs president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer have made it clear that they intend to rebuild the team. However, the Cubs are indeed showing interest in both Pujols and Fielder, major league sources say.

Pujols, 31, is nearly 3½ years older than Fielder, but sources say the Cubs are more willing to go long-term with Pujols, who is the better defender according to advanced metrics. Some teams, concerned by Fielder’s body would prefer him on a shorter, high-dollar deal.

By signing one of the two, the Cubs would ensure that they are set with a premier slugger as they try to return to prominence in the NL Central.

The Dodgers’ recent signing of center fielder Matt Kemp to an eight-year, $160 million contract leaves Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton as the top free-agent hitter in next year’s class – and it’s possible that Hamilton, too, might never hit the open market.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury are the top hitters eligible for free agency after the 2013 season. The Yankees are likely to retain Cano, and the Red Sox possess the resources to retain Ellsbury.

Meanwhile, the Cubs’ goal of rebuilding through the draft took a hit in the new CBA, which will penalize teams that spend over set limits on amateurs. Clubs that exceed the limits will be subject to taxes and the loss of top picks.

Some executives speculate that the restrictions on draft spending will lead clubs to boost their major-league payrolls. Teams also spend more historically in the first off-season of a new CBA, confident that the game’s short-term economic future is secure.

The Cubs are the third team known to have interest in Pujols, joining the Cardinals and Marlins. Fielder’s known list of suitors includes the Brewers and Nationals, and the Mariners also are believed to have interest.

The Rangers eventually could enter the mix for both players, and the Nationals could grow more interested in Pujols. The Nats’ talks with Fielder hit a significant roadblock Monday, sources said.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Albert-Pujols-Prince-Fielder-Chicago-Cubs-pursuing-star-free-agents-112811

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

i don't want pujols but would welcome prince here, and yes bernstein is wrong as usual.

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LOL, let the hole-digging recommence in earnest!

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You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

If you read up on this, the reason they are in on these guys is because of the change to the draft rules. Doesn't that support Bernstein?

I know the draft rules change the landscape and there is an explanation for what they are doing but you cant help but think that /\

Although Pujols and Fielder are better and more consistent than Soriano ever was

Go get Votto in a trade the Reds can not refuse. I am with the Marlins on thinking Pujols is older than 31. Prince I would be fine with but limit it to 5 years.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

I don't understand why the draft rules change anything that much. Everybody has the same rules. It's not like the Cubs are the only ones that aren't allowed to spend money on draft picks.

Players aren't going to have that much leverage that they forgo a contract with the Cubs to reenter later years for more money from someone else. The Cubs are still going to max out their allotted money.

I don't see how this changes the landscape that much. It gives minor-leaguers even less leverage than they had before unless there are some other changes that I'm not aware of.

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You know me like that.

I would not sign either of them longer than 4 years with options for a buyout in 3 of those years. I would be a lousy GM,but this contract thing seems to favor the players.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

You cant collect draft picks like Theo did. (Various ways. One example is a free agent you trade for comes with no compensation. Player has to be on your team all year to get the pick if he leaves.)

You cant spend over slot like the Cubs did last year.


Basically its like the draft was its own league without a salary cap. So teams like Boston, Chicago, New York could throw any amount of money on the draft or on foreign players. Now there is a salary cap.

Facts have no place here.

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So there is an article stating that the Cubs are pursuing Fielder and Pujols and that automatically makes Bernsie wrong? Is it really a surprise that there is an article saying this? So the Cubs are looking into them, that does not mean the are signing either one of them. I am sure Theo and crew are looking into everyone out there. That is there job.

If the sign one of them, then Bernsie is wrong. I am not sold on the fact that the will sign either one. There are always rumors about things this time of year, most of them end up meaning nothing.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

For whom?

Garza and Marmol

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Regardless of Bernstein, Rosenthal is saying they are pursuing them. Thats different than "looking into"

I'll be stunned if either ends up with the Cubs. This is the price driving Theo did in Boston. I do think someone will offer a huge amount for Garza and he'll be traded.

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Why give up anything?

He's a free agent next year. Just wait.

No - he's not a free agent next year.

bernstein has been wrong every step of the way since ricketts bought this team...crane kenney gone/wrong...quade a great hire/wrong.....theo epstein wanting terry francona/wrong..epstein and emanual getting the cubs public money/wrong...cubs not interested in fielder/wrong again...and i do not think anyone on the planet thinks pujols is 31 years old, also mlb will begin hgh testing this year.

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You have so many things wrong here it is not even funny.

Bernsie never once said Q was a "great hire".

He never said Theo wanted Francona.

He never said Theo would get them money from Rahm.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

My mistake. I listened to an unreliable source in my office.

you must not have heard it..of course i am paraphrasing but that was clearly his take on all those matters.

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No.

You're right about the money from Rahm, but that's it.

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Pretty sure I heard him say the last two.

i enjoy boers/berns and listen pretty often.. his stance was exactly that on all issues.

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Bernsie said several times that Theo might want Francona and he might not, as he talked about hearing that their relationship had soured over the last year. He never once came out and said this is Francona's guy. He said he felt Theo had a guy in mind he wanted before the interviews started, but he never stated who he thought that would be.

He also never said Theo was getting money from Rahm. He has said several times that would be a priority in Theo's plan and he made it way more likely to get money and that his sources said Rahm would be willing to do it if it was done in the right way. But again he has never come out and said Theo is getting them the money guaranteed.

Lots of imaginary radio with Bernsie.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

You're wrong fella.

Never said "Quade was a great hire." Never said "Theo wanted Francona."

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well he said " do not count out terry francona, his people told him it is a strong possibility"..it wasn't..never was and francona was never even a possibility..not more than 36 hours after bernstein said that..theo came out and said francona was not a candidate.....as far as the quade hire?..you are wrong he liked the hire and said quade was a great choice...to his credit he admitted he was very wrong since.

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Berns is already wrong, On numerous occasions he said that the Cubs would not pursue either Puhols or Fielder.
He made fun of callers suggesting that the Cubs might go after one or the other.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

You apparently missed these shows. Berns did in fact say these things numerous times.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

I wonder how seriously they're going after these guys. Probably not all that seriously. I think this might be a leak in order to a)drive up prices on players in a serious FA situation or b) to placete the idiotic Cubs fans.

I don't know that I'm ready to say that Theo is willing to humor Cubs fans yet. I would like to assume that he respects the Cubs fans until proven otherwise. Therefore, I am hoping that either this is bullshit plants from the agents, or overzealous (re: we KNOW James is coming to the Bulls) media hoping to get headlines, twitter reads and "nuggets" on stations.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014