SAN FRANCISCO (MCT) — The Cubs pursuit of Jorge Soler will intensify this week now that the Cuban outfielder officially has been declared a free agent.

In spring training, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer was forced to deny a report the Cubs had agreed to a four-year, $27 million deal with the defector.

"I will say the rumors that we have a deal with him are completely bogus," Hoyer said. "I don't know where that started, but you guys should not run with those rumors. They are just rumors and they have no merit."