Brendan Donovan and Nico Hoerner Ignite Second-Base Trade Market

The second-base trade market is finally starting to take shape this offseason. The San Francisco Giants seem to be right in the thick of it.

With second base producing so little offense in 2025, the Giants want an upgrade. They’re eyeing St. Louis Cardinals standout Brendan Donovan and Chicago Cubs mainstay Nico Hoerner.

Each player brings something different to the table. The Cardinals and Cubs are moving in opposite directions as trade talks pick up.

Giants Searching for Stability at Second Base

San Francisco’s interest in second basemen isn’t surprising. In 2025, Giants second basemen posted a .616 OPS—one of the worst marks in the league.

That kind of production just drags down a lineup that otherwise could compete. It’s hard to imagine the Giants contending in the National League if they don’t fix it.

The Giants haven’t waited around for internal solutions. They’ve been active on the trade front, looking for players who can deliver consistent at-bats, get on base, and defend well.

Brendan Donovan and Nico Hoerner keep coming up in league circles. There’s a reason for that.

Brendan Donovan: A Rebuilding Cardinals’ Trade Chip

Of all the options, Donovan looks the most gettable. The Cardinals seem headed for a retool or even a rebuild, and cutting payroll is high on their list.

Donovan’s strong 2025 season only boosts his value right now. St. Louis appears willing to listen to offers.

Why Donovan Fits the Giants

Donovan really fits what the Giants need. He hit .287 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs last year, providing steady—not streaky—production.

He’s got elite contact skills and a patient approach. That’s the kind of profile that should work well at Oracle Park.

Other things to like about Donovan:

With prospect JJ Wetherholt nearly ready for the majors, the Cardinals can move Donovan without creating a long-term hole at second base.

Nico Hoerner: A Harder Ask for the Cubs

Hoerner’s name is out there, but things are trickier in Chicago. The Cubs just got Alex Bregman, so now they have more infielders than spots.

That makes Hoerner seem available, at least in theory. But a trade isn’t a sure thing.

Why Chicago Can Afford to Wait

Hoerner is under team control through 2026. The Cubs see him as a clubhouse leader.

Matt Shaw could play second if needed, but the Cubs don’t feel rushed. They just added Edward Cabrera to their rotation, which takes some pressure off.

If the Cubs move Hoerner, they’ll want:

If those boxes aren’t checked, the Cubs will probably just hang onto Hoerner. He’s a big part of their culture and defense anyway.

Mariners Lurking, Giants Deciding

The Seattle Mariners are firmly in the mix. They talked to the Cardinals about Donovan before and even checked in on Hoerner last offseason, though Chicago changed direction.

The Giants now feel a bit of pressure. With the Mariners poking around, San Francisco has to decide just how aggressive they want to get.

The Cardinals want to sell. The Cubs, not so much. If the Giants want to upgrade at second base without getting fleeced, Brendan Donovan looks like the frontrunner.

Still, Hoerner’s Bay Area roots and his well-rounded game make him a tempting option—if Chicago ever changes its mind.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Second-base trade market for Donovan, Hoerner? Rumors are swirling