The Chicago Cubs are no closer to a long-term contract agreement with Jeff Samardzija than they were a year ago.

A trade is a strong possibility, according to two sources. A third source said trade talks aren't happening.

Rick Renteria did nothing to quell trade rumors when discussing the possibility of starting Samardzija on Opening Day.

"So many things can happen over the course of the spring that I'm not going to lock myself into trying to divulge something that I can't really determine will be in the end," Renteria said.

Samardzija makes $5.345 million this year with two years of club control remaining.