Giants Show Interest in Nico Hoerner: Why It Makes Sense

The San Francisco Giants entered the offseason knowing second base was a problem. After a punchless 2025 from Tyler Fitzgerald, Casey Schmitt, and Christian Koss, the front office is now actively scouring the trade market for an upgrade.

A cluster of intriguing options has emerged—headlined by Brendan Donovan, Ketel Marte, Nico Hoerner, and Brandon Lowe. The Giants are trying to balance defense, power, versatility, and cost while still keeping their primary focus on pitching and the outfield.

Why the Giants Need a Second Base Upgrade

Second base was supposed to be a spot of internal growth for the Giants. The 2025 season told a different story.

The combination of Fitzgerald, Schmitt, and Koss didn’t produce enough offense to justify everyday roles. The Giants have made it clear that stagnant infield production is no longer acceptable, especially in a division where every game against the Dodgers and Padres demands impact bats up and down the lineup.

They’re now targeting established big leaguers who can stabilize the position and deepen the lineup immediately.

The Current Internal Options Have Fallen Short

All three internal candidates bring varying degrees of defensive competence and versatility. None showed the kind of sustainable offensive growth that contenders need.

In a lineup already lacking consistent thump and on-base ability, carrying a near-automatic out at second base is a luxury the Giants can’t afford in 2026.

Brendan Donovan: The Versatile Prize of the Market

Among the names linked to San Francisco, Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals stands out as a top priority. His ability to move around the diamond and bat near the top of a lineup makes him one of the most coveted trade chips in baseball.

Donovan brings a blend of plate discipline, contact skills, and positional flexibility. That fits the Giants’ preference for adaptable rosters and matchup-based lineups.

High Demand, High Price Tag

The Cardinals know exactly what they have. Donovan’s trade market is crowded, and St. Louis is expected to demand a significant return.

Any deal would likely force the Giants to part with multiple young pieces—possibly including upper-level prospects or controllable pitching. That could give San Francisco pause, depending on how they prioritize their long-term core.

Ketel Marte: Intriguing Talent, Difficult Path

The Giants have also been connected, at least speculatively, to Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Marte offers switch-hitting pop, postseason experience, and the kind of middle-order presence that instantly lengthens a lineup.

On paper, he’s exactly the kind of player who could transform second base from a weakness into a strength.

Division Dynamics Complicate Any Deal

In practice, an in-division trade is a major hurdle. The Diamondbacks are unlikely to strengthen a rival unless their return is overwhelming.

That reality makes a Marte deal more rumor than likelihood, at least under current conditions.

Nico Hoerner vs. Brandon Lowe: Two Very Different Solutions

Two of the more realistic names on the board—Nico Hoerner of the Cubs and Brandon Lowe of the Rays—offer contrasting skill sets but similar contract structures. Both are under control through 2026 with salaries in the neighborhood of $12 million, making them short-term but predictable investments.

This is where the Giants must decide what matters most: power or all-around consistency.

Brandon Lowe: Power Bat with Red Flags

Lowe’s calling card is obvious: serious home-run power. He launched 31 homers in 2025, a total that would instantly make him one of the Giants’ premier power threats.

For a club that often struggles to change games with one swing, Lowe is a tempting option. However, the profile comes with notable risks:

He’d give the Giants the power they lack, but at the expense of defense and reliability.

Nico Hoerner: Elite Defense and Stability

Hoerner offers almost the mirror image of Lowe’s profile. He doesn’t bring much home-run pop, but everything else in his game is built for winning baseball.

The Cubs’ second baseman provides:

With four to five WAR seasons as a baseline, Hoerner represents a high-floor, high-impact addition. He wouldn’t fix the Giants’ power shortage, but he would significantly raise their overall level of play.

Will the Cubs Actually Move Nico Hoerner?

Chicago isn’t under pressure to trade Hoerner. Contenders don’t just move four-to-five WAR, up-the-middle defenders unless there’s a clear roster reshaping plan in place.

That said, there is a potential path to a deal. If the Cubs chase a major bat such as Alex Bregman or Eugenio Suárez and decide that prospect Matt Shaw is ready to shift to second base, Hoerner could become available for the right price.

How the Giants’ Priorities Shape Their Approach

The Giants’ front office keeps pitching and the outfield at the top of their offseason wish list. Even though they’re interested in second base, those priorities might bump Hoerner a bit lower, despite him being a really solid fit.

Right now, Donovan seems to lead their second-base options. Hoerner, Lowe, and the longshot Marte scenario trail behind, forming the next tier.

As the market shifts and other teams make moves, the Giants have to weigh how much prospect capital they’re actually willing to spend to fix second base. It’s a tricky call—do they go all-in, or wait it out?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Giants Have Shown Interest In Nico Hoerner