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.

San Francisco Giants trade C Bengie Molina to Texas Rangers for RHP Chris Ray and a PTBNL

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's trade time!

Today the San Francisco Giants traded catcher Bengie Molina to the Texas Rangers for RHP Chris Ray and a Play To Be Named Later.

Molina, who was hitting .257/.312/.332 with 3 HR and 17 RBIs through 61 games will take over as starting catcher for Matt Treanor, who's hitting .237/.315/.378 with 5 HR and 23 RBI through 54 games. Treanor will be the back-up catcher now. Before the trade, the trio of Texas catchers, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Max Ramirez and Treanor, were hitting a combined .212/.311/.328 on the year, prompting the move for a trade of a better offensive catcher. Molina, 36, is a free agent at the end of the season. The long-time Angels backstop is with his fourth organization now, after spending seasons with the Angels, Blue Jays, and Giants. The eldest Molina brother will now hope to had some power to the Rangers' lineup. The move will push Buster Posey to be the starting catcher in San Francisco.

The Giants meanwhile, acquire relief help as they try to make a playoff push this season. They'll acquire Chris Ray, ex-closer of the Baltimore Orioles. The former Tommy John surgery patient has thrown to a 3.41 ERA in 31.2 innings of work this season. Ray, 28, was traded to Texas for Kevin Millwood prior to the 2010 season, so this will be his second team this season. Ray will most likely take over duty as the set-up man for Brian Wilson. The Giants will also acquire a Player To Be Named Later as a bonus.

This is a good trade for both sides. The Rangers acquire a catcher that can hit and field, something they've been lacking since the days of Ivan Rodriguez, and they got him for a good price. The Giants acquire a young reliever who can help them in the bullpen, as well as a bonus player. The trade of Molina will now allow the Giants to play Buster Posey at catcher full-time, as he begins to grow into his position, and will allow them to play Aubrey Huff at first base full-time. A good trade fulfilling the needs of both teams.