Report: Cubs, Rockies have discussed Bryant-Arenado swap

The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies have discussed a potential blockbuster trade of All-Star third basemen Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado, ESPN's Jesse Rogers revealed during a Wednesday appearance on the "Kap and Co." show.

Rogers later added that the teams are not believed to be close to a deal.

If such a blockbuster came to pass, Colorado would likely cover a large portion of Arenado's salary, perhaps as much as $7 million or $8 million per season, according to Rogers.

Arenado, 28, is owed $234 million over the final eight years of his contract with the Rockies, though he can opt out after the 2021 season.

The seven-time Gold Glove winner also has a full no-trade clause, but ESPN's Jeff Passan told the "Kap and Co." show that Arenado would "love" to play for the Cubs.

Arenado said last week he felt disrespected by the Rockies after general manager Jeff Bridich publicly pulled his name out of trade talks. He's since refused to comment further on the subject, and it appears tensions between the two sides remain.

A trade that sees Arenado depart Colorado before spring training is now considered highly unlikely, multiple sources told Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. A deal could reportedly materialize if the Rockies get off to a slow start in the regular season, though.

Bryant, meanwhile, has been on the block for much of this winter. Multiple teams are believed to have spoken to the Cubs about him, though talks have slowed of late due to uncertainty around his service time. He reportedly lost his service-time grievance against the Cubs on Wednesday and, as a result, won't reach free agency for another two years.

The 28-year-old avoided arbitration with the Cubs by agreeing to a one-year, $18.6-million contract earlier in January.

Bryant is willing to listen to extension proposals from the Cubs if he's not traded, sources close to the former MVP told NBC Sports Chicago's David Kaplan. Talks thus far haven't progressed, however, as Kaplan reports the Cubs' offers have come in well below Bryant's perceived market value.