Cubs manager Dale Sveum shot down the hopes of fans on Saturday, saying the team will not sign free-agent Prince Fielder.
"There haven't been any discussions with us for Prince, that's just not going to happen," Sveum told a room full of fans at a question and answer session. "We have our first baseman in Bryan LaHair and [Mike] Rizzo waiting in the wings as well. We're doing OK with big power left-handed hitters right now."
Cubs president Theo Epstein wasn't as adamant when it came to dispelling the notion of Fielder becoming his trademark acquisition this offseason.
"[His youth] makes [Fielder] really appealing to any club, no matter where they are in their own development as a ballclub," Epstein said.
"There's no doubt that [our] primary objective is to develop a young core, a nucleus of impact talent that we can build around."
Sveum: No Fielder For Cubs