"After playing coy about their plans to pursue the biggest bats available in this year's free agent market, Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs' new leadership group do plan to pursue Albert Pujols.

A baseball source told the Post-Dispatch today that the Cubs have "serious interest" in Pujols.

The Cubs contacted Pujols' agent on Friday to express interest, according to a source with knowledge of the conversation. They are the third team to enter the Pujols' sweepstakes.

The Cardinals and the Miami Marlins have already submitted offers to the three-time MVP. Both offers have been for nine years, sources have confirmed to the Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals' offer, made in January when the two sides were discussing an extension, was worth $198 million, or an average of $22 million per season. The Marlins' offer was believed to be less than the Cardinals'."