Cubs general manager Jim Hendry sent the rumor mill spinning on Tuesday.
Hendry twice embraced Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols behind the cage during Tuesday batting practice before a game between the two teams.
He dismissed the hugs as an innocent show of affection between two men who have known each other for 10 years.
"I've known him a long time. I'm not going to treat him any different and the same with him," said Hendry.
Pujols is in the final year of his contract with St. Louis.
Hendry Spikes Pujols Rumors With Hugs During BP