The San Francisco Giants have engaged in "preliminary talks" with the Milwaukee Brewers on a trade for Ryan Braun, according to a USA Today report.

A deal is not believed to be close.

David Stearns addressed rumors Sunday on MLB Network Radio, saying, "There's no need for us to move … an elite-level player." Stearns added he would keep Braun and catcher Jonathan Lucroy, another of Milwaukee's top trade chips, apprised on talks.