DENVER -- Reports that the Cardinals are -- again -- attempting to acquire Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado raise a question: What can the Rockies receive in return?

In January 2020, the Cardinals were the “it” teams in many of the reports. Talks fizzled, although Arenado’s anger over what he termed “disrespect” from the Rockies heated up the Hot Stove season.

Things became warmer again Thursday night when The Athletic reported that the Cardinals are “in discussions,” but “no deal appears close.” Also, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post tweeted that there is interest from the Braves, although their payroll would be strained by adding Arenado -- owed $199 million over the next six seasons.

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After postseason appearances in 2017 and ’18, the Rockies have finished fourth in the National League West the past two years. Although much of the industry disagrees, they have been operating as if they are still in a competitive window.

Can they trade a superstar such as Arenado and fill legitimate holes? Those holes include starting pitching depth, catching and talented players and prospects. When the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list was released Thursday night, the Rockies had just one player included: outfielder Zac Veen. The 2020 first-round MLB Draft pick is ranked at No. 54.

For the present
Harrison Bader: The 26-year-old right-handed hitter has speed to cover center field at Coors Field. His batting averages were underwhelming -- .205 in 128 games in 2019 and .226 in 50 games last season -- but in ’20 he saw upticks in on-base percentage (.336) and slugging percentage (.443).

Austin Gomber: The 27-year-old left-hander is 7-3 with a 3.72 ERA in 43 games (15 starts) in 2018 and ’20. (Biceps tendinitis kept him out of the Majors in ’19.) Gomber has one remaining Minor League option but can make that point moot if he takes the next step. He is under club contractual control through ’25.

The Rockies might need to take back a contract to offset some of the Arenado money. The Cardinals have some big payroll commitments that they potentially could move:

Carlos Martínez: The 29-year-old right-hander, sometimes a starter and sometimes a reliever, is due $11.7 million this year on a contract that has team options for ’22 ($17 million) and ’23 ($18 million), with $500,000 buyouts for each option year.

Matt Carpenter: The 35-year-old corner infielder could be the latest to take a turn at first base for the Rockies. Carpenter is owed $18.5 million salary in 2021, with a $2 million buyout on an $18.5 million vesting option for ’22.

Dexter Fowler: The outfielder, who will turn 35 on March 22, began his career with the Rockies. Fowler is due $16.5 million in the final year of his contract.

For the future
Indications are the Cardinals are reluctant to meet the Rockies’ prospect price. But the reward is Arenado.

Matthew Liberatore: Going into the 2018 MLB Draft, the Rockies were interested in the lefty starter, but the Rays took him 16th overall. When the Cards acquired Liberatore last winter in the deal that sent outfielder Randy Arozarena to Tampa Bay, industry speculation arose that he could be flipped immediately to the Rockies. Liberatore, 21, ranks 37th on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list.

Nolan Gorman: The 20-year-old third baseman is a left-handed hitter who ranks right behind Liberatore at No. 38 in the prospect rankings. Gorman and Liberatore were friends growing up in the Phoenix area, landed with the Cards together and could be wearing purple pinstripes together if the cards are played right.

Zack Thompson: The 23-year-old left-hander, a first-round Draft pick in 2019, is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Cardinals’ No. 5 prospect.

Andrew Knizner: The catcher, who will turn 26 on Wednesday, is a right-handed hitter and made eight Major League appearances last season. Knizner was the team’s No. 3 prospect in 2019 but has been blocked by longtime Cardinals star Yadier Molina. The Cardinals’ No. 4 prospect, catcher Ivan Herrera, 20, is another prospect who could make trade talks painful for St. Louis.

Braves possibilities
Money exchange: Center fielder Ender Inciarte, 30, is a three-time National League Gold Glove Award winner who is due an $8.7 million salary in 2021 and a $1.02 million buyout on a $9 million club option for ’22.

Pitchers and catchers: The Rockies’ wish list would include righties Ian Anderson, 22 and Kyle Wright, 25. Ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect, Anderson posted a 0.96 ERA in four postseason starts. Wright threw six scoreless innings of the Braves’ 7-0 victory over the Marlins in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.

Catcher Shea Langeliers, 23, is the No. 73 overall prospect. William Contreras, 23, appeared in four Major League games in 2020 and is the Braves’ No. 7 prospect.

Owings returns
Right-handed hitting utility player Chris Owings, who batted .268 in 17 games with Colorado in 2020 but saw his season end in August because of a left hamstring injury, is returning to the Rockies under a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.