San Francisco is eyeing upgrades at second base, and according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Giants are “aggressively” pursuing trade options to fill the void.
Giants Target Cubs, Cardinals for Second Base Help
The Giants are exploring trades for Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs and Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals as they look to bolster their infield.
- The Cubs, after acquiring Alex Bregman, have a surplus of infielders and may be willing to trade.
- Nico Hoerner has been a top-10 player in the National League by fWAR since 2022.
- Brendan Donovan offers a potentially better offensive profile, particularly suited for Oracle Park’s dimensions.
- San Francisco ranked fourth-lowest in fWAR from second base in 2025, highlighting the need for an upgrade.
The Cubs recently added Alex Bregman to their infield, creating a logjam and potentially opening the door for trades. Matt Shaw and Hoerner are considered the most likely candidates to be moved if Chicago decides to address other roster needs.
Shaw, who plays the same position as Bregman, had a rookie season in 2024 where he hit .226/.295/.394 in 126 games. While his overall numbers were underwhelming, he showed improvement after the All-Star break, posting a .258/.317/.522 slash line in 205 plate appearances.
Hoerner is entering his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent after the 2025 season. He’s been a consistent performer, ranking among the top-10 players in the National League by fWAR since 2022 and finishing 19th in NL MVP voting last season.
Donovan’s Offensive Potential
Donovan has two years of arbitration remaining, increasing his value to potential acquiring teams. While his overall performance hasn’t matched Hoerner’s, his offensive profile is considered stronger. He owns a career .282/.361/.411 slash line in 492 games.
Hoerner, meanwhile, has a .282/.340/.384 slash line, with much of his value stemming from his defensive prowess at second base.
What makes a second baseman valuable? A strong glove and consistent hitting are key, but the ideal player also offers versatility and the ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.
There’s no clear wrong choice for the Giants if they can acquire either Hoerner or Donovan. However, given the characteristics of Oracle Park, Donovan’s batted-ball profile might be particularly advantageous.
San Francisco had the fourth-lowest fWAR from second base in 2025, making an upgrade a priority. With the Los Angeles Dodgers posing a significant challenge in the NL West, the Giants need to make a substantial move to remain competitive as spring training approaches in February.
