BREWERS’ COREY HART GETS CONTRACT EXTENSION

Corey Hart had been the subject of trade rumors heading into the deadline, but on Monday the Milwaukee Brewers did just the opposite—they rewarded him with a long term contract extension.  The 28 year old Hart agreed to a 3 year deal worth $26.5 million that’ll keep him in a Milwaukee uniform through the 2013 season.  Hart is in the midst of a solid season, batting .288 with 23 home runs and 72 RBIs in 92 games.
 
The Brewers listened to offers for Hart, but found nothing of interest.  When Hart expressed a desire to stay with the Brewers that changed the tone of the discussion according to General Manager Doug Melvin:

"When Corey reached out and said he wanted to stay here, I told Gord (Assistant GM Ash) to go see what they're looking for.”

Hart is making $4.8 million this year after winning in arbitration filed earlier this year. This extension gives him a $1 million bonus payable immediately and salaries of $6.5 million in 2011, $9 million in 2012 and $10 million in 2013.

After getting a raise from $3.25 million to $4.8 million via arbitration, Hart realized that he wasn’t in good graces with his team following a disappointing 2009 season and a rough spring training:

"I got out of a meeting late in the spring with the front office and those guys and they were panicking because I had a bad spring. But I wasn't really thinking about it, I assumed I would be the right fielder and then I realized, 'These guys don't like me right now.'"

With Hart putting up All Star numbers this season that has changed according to Melvin:

"I think last year was probably more of an aberration, if you look at what he's done.”

Despite being well off the pace in the National League Central, the Brewers have some promising young talent that the team has moved to keep under contract.  The Brewers have recent given contract extensions to Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo, and discussions are under way for a new deal with second baseman Rickie Weeks.  Milwaukee is currently in third place in their division with a 48-58 record, 11.5 games behind first place St. Louis.