Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant will be traded to one of these five teams

Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies have reportedly talked about a trade

Wednesday was busy for those of us who follow the Cubs. Not only did we get the news about Bryant’s service time grievance, but we also got several other reports pertaining to the Colorado Rockies, their superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado and a potential deal with Chicago.

Here’s the current landscape, according to Jesse Rogers, who appeared on 1000 AM on Wednesday.

"“This is something I heard very recently. That, yes, Arenado would love to play for the Cubs, Iagree with Jeff [Passan] on that,” Rogers said. “I’ll go one step further. That they’ve even discussed a one-for-one deal, Kris Bryant for Nolan Arenado, where the Rockies pick up a good portion of Arenado’s salary over the length of the contract. I’m talking $7 or $8 million per year."

Woo, boy. Alrighty then.

Personally, it’s hard to imagine this working straight-up. Arenado makes $35 million in each of the next five years, followed by another $59 million at the tail end of the deal. That shouldn’t detract a big market team like Chicago if not for one little thing. The Cubs are hell-bent on getting under the $208 million competitive balance tax threshold by Opening Day.

Bryant will make $18.6 million in his next-to-last arbitration season – leaving roughly a $16 million gap between his salary and Arenado’s. Even if Colorado ate the $7-8 million Rogers noted in his interview, that still pushes the payroll in the wrong direction.

I’m not saying the Cubs and Rockies can’t get together and make something happen – but it would take corresponding moves or additional pieces included in the deal.