Corey Hart didn't like seeing his name in the headlines leading up during the period leading up to the trading deadline.

He won't mind this.

The Brewers announced this morning that Hart has agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2013 season. The Brewers, rebuffed in previous efforts to sign Hart to a long-term deal, bought out Hart's final year of arbitration and two years of free agency.

"We're very pleased to sign Corey to a three-year extension," said general manager Doug Melvin Monday. "We're happy to have him here, along with Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo."

The deal came about quickly. Hart made it known as trade rumors grew louder that he preferred to work out an extension and remain with the Brewers, who selected him in the 11th round of the 2000 MLB Draft.

After starting the season on the bench behind veteran Jim Edmonds, Hart caught fire in May and played himself on to his second National League All-Star team last month.

Hart, 28, is batting .288 with 23 homers and 72 RBI this season. His on-base percentage is .346; his slugging percentage is .565.

His success turned him into an attractive trade piece, but Melvin said that while teams expressed interest, few were willing to get serious in negotiations.

All the while, Hart maintained his desire to remain in Milwaukee.

"I told Gord (Ash) to talk to Corey and see what they had in mind," Melvin said.

The deal came together over the course of the last week. Both sides quickly reached agreement on the salary and length of the contract.

"We made an aggressive first offer and the counter offer was aggressive as well," Ash said. "It took a few days to come to closure on some other issues that go with the contract."

The Brewers don't release financial terms as a matter of club policy, but it's likely that the deal is worth close to $25 million or $28 million.

Hart is making $4.8 million this year, after beating the club in an arbitration hearing during spring training. His victory in arbitration ruffled some feathers after struggling over parts of the last two seasons.

Melvin said his numbers this season are more indicative of the type of player Hart is.

"You make an All-Star team two out of the last four years... that means you're a pretty good player," Melvin said.

The Brewers likely will set their sights on a long-term deal with second baseman Rickie Weeks, who is enjoying the best season of his career.

"I'm sure that will come about," Melvin said. "We're always interested but it takes two sides to make a deal. It's all about timing. Sometimes it works out, other times you have to wait and it works out later on."

First baseman Prince Fielder also is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, but most fans expect the Brewers to trade him during the off-season or at the July 31 deadline next year.