Giants talking trade with Brewers for OF Corey Hart

According to MLBTradeRumors as well as Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Giants are exploring a trade for Milwaukee Brewers' All-Star right fielder Corey Hart.

The Giants, who are somewhat offensively struggled, have been scouting the Brewers extensively of late for, what many thought to be, a trade for All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder. Hart is signed through 2011, so the Giants would not just have him as a rental player, but as a player for the future. Hart, 28, is currently at .288 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI through 75 games this season while making the NL All-Star team for the second time in his career.

Last week, the Giants completed a trade that sent catcher Bengie Molina to the Texas Rangers for RHP Chris Ray and a player to be named later, freeing up salary space on the roster for a big acquisition.

The cost for Hart would be great however. The Giants would likely have to give up at least a top prospect such as catcher Tommy Joseph, who is now blocked by Buster Posey, or LHP Dan Runzler. Either way, a trade for Hart by the Giants would be a great move for their playoff push.