"GM Doug Melvin told me any talk of the Brewers shopping RF Corey Hart is pure nonsense," Tom Haudricourt (twitter)

"The two clubs that called the Brewers on the weekend to see if Milwaukee really was making Corey Hart available heard that he is not on the block." Ken Rosenthal

I know there need to be some gamesmanship when it comes to making trades, but Doug Melvin is going a little overboard.  Despite his faults and struggles, Corey Hart is a valuable ball player and what he adds to the Brewers shouldn't be overlooked.  But he doesn't do anything that isn't replaceable.  The Brewers farm system produces guys with bats and no position, so anyone occupying a corner outfield spot is expendable.

The only thing that can force Melvin to hold on to Hart so tightly is that he believes that Hart will be the starting center fielder in 2010.  Mike Cameron has had a career year so far in 2009, and it won't make sense to pay for that production in 2010 when Cameron will be 37-years-old.

Hart has to be attractive to teams (not a surprise if clubs are calling on him).  He's in his prime, has flashes of power and the speed to cover ground in the outfield and swipe bases.  Also, he's still cheap for another couple seasons.  He's a really nice piece in a trade since he can be paired with a good prospect.  It also means that the Brewers should get a decent return.  They aren't in a position where they need to trade Hart, but they can trade Hart is the right package comes along.  It's good to be in that kind of position and the Brewers should take advantage of it if they have the oppotunity.