For days, Corey Hart's name was mentioned in trade rumors, with talk about him heading out of town, possibly to the Giants. But in the end, he was never dealt, and now we know why -- the Brewers apparently wanted to keep him all along. On Monday, Milwaukee signed Hart to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Brewers through 2013.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the deal is worth $26.5 million over the next three years.
It's exactly what Hart wanted, who time and again said that he didn't want to be traded, and that he preferred to stay with Milwaukee.
GM Doug Melvin had this to say after the announcement:
"The Brewers are very excited to have Corey signed for the next three years," said Melvin. "He is one of our drafted and developed players and with his two-time All-Star performances, Corey deserves this contract that will provide his family security. We appreciate his wanting to remain a Brewer and a part of the Milwaukee community."
Hart, a two-time All-Star, is in the midst of his best season. He's hitting .288 and slugging .565 while sporting a 143 OPS+; already he has 23 home runs (in 92 games), nearly equaling his total from 2007, his first year as an everyday player.
Expect plenty of reaction and analysis at our Brewers blog, Brew Crew Ball.