Corey Hart Will Take Pay Cut to Stay in Milwaukee

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Hart says he’d take a “reduced deal” to stay with the only organization for which he has ever played. This is according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel. Hart hasn’t played a single game for the Milwaukee Brewers this season due to having procedures on both knees.

About those knees, Hart was in Milwaukee getting checked out by the Brewers medical staff. Here’s what Hart told Haudricourt about any negotiations.

"“We haven’t had any discussions,” said Hart […]. “I’ve told them numerous times that if I was healthy I’d like to stay a Brewer and help this team out. They have a lot of good young players but they need a veteran presence. I’d like to be one of those guys. They want it; I just don’t know where that’s at.”"

Hart is in the final year of a three-year extension he inked in August 2010, and he will be a free agent at the end of this season. Hart also told the team he would be “very generous to stay” in Milwaukee. He believes he owes the team as he “sat there and watched all season”.

As far as 2013 salary alone, Hart made more this season ($10M) than Ryan Braun ($8.5M).

Speaking of Braun, he will be back next year after, well, you know. A Hart return may not only give the Brewers another veteran presence on their roster, but provided he and Braun are healthy, the Brew Crew would certainly have more punch in its lineup.

Milwaukee could be onto something. Along with Hart (if he returns) and Braun, throw in another veteran in Aramis Ramirez, and the maturity of Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura. That starting lineup starts to look pretty good.

If everyone can stay healthy, that is.