Giants Pursue Second-Base Trade Targets Hoerner, Donovan

The San Francisco Giants aren’t hiding their main offseason goal: fixing the mess at second base. After a pretty rough showing from that spot in 2025, the front office has started looking at real upgrades—trades included, even for a couple of the National League’s most dependable infielders.

With roster construction, payroll flexibility, and timelines all swirling, this search could end up defining who the Giants are in 2026. It’s a big swing, honestly.

Why Second Base Became a Front-Burner Issue

Second base was a headache for the Giants last season. What began as a flexible, matchup-based plan quickly spiraled into a revolving door of underwhelming performances.

The lineup missed any real consistency or spark from the middle infield. In 2025, Giants second basemen put up a .217/.273/.343 slash line and a 73 wRC+, which is 27% below league average. For a team with playoff dreams, that’s not even close to good enough.

A Position Defined by Struggles

Tyler Fitzgerald, Casey Schmitt, Christian Koss, and Brett Wisely all got their shot at second, but none of them claimed the job. Every hitter underperformed, so the Giants have to rethink their depth chart and bigger plan.

Nico Hoerner and Brendan Donovan Enter the Picture

Jeff Passan reports the Giants have talked with the Cubs and Cardinals about Nico Hoerner and Brendan Donovan. Both players will be 29 in 2026 and bring high-contact bats plus defensive flexibility.

Neither guy is a classic power hitter, but both offer something the Giants desperately need: reliability.

Donovan’s Case: Availability and Consistency

Brendan Donovan might be the more realistic trade target. The Cardinals are heading into a rebuild, and Donovan is under team control through 2027 after signing a one-year, $5.8 million deal.

Since debuting, Donovan has put up a .282/.361/.411 line with a 119 wRC+. He walks about 9% of the time, strikes out just 13%, and plays steady defense all over the field.

• Career slash line: .282/.361/.411
• Plate discipline: More walks than strikeouts
• Accolades: All-Star and Gold Glove winner

Hoerner’s Case: Speed and Elite Defense

Nico Hoerner’s numbers are right there with Donovan’s—five-year averages of .285/.342/.388 and a 106 wRC+. Where Hoerner stands out is with his speed and glove.

He’s swiped 131 career bases, which is something the Giants could really use. He’s also a legit shortstop on defense, but with Dansby Swanson in Chicago, he’s been stuck at second.

Trade Reality and Payroll Flexibility

The Cubs’ situation makes Hoerner a tough get. After signing Alex Bregman, Chicago’s all-in, so they’d want a big haul of MLB-ready talent.

That puts Donovan in the more realistic lane. The Giants can afford either contract—San Francisco’s payroll projection is about $185 million for 2026, and ownership seems willing to spend to fill gaps.

Other Options Still on the Radar

The Giants aren’t just focused on these two. They’re also watching the Bo Bichette free agency market, and they’ll keep looking at other trade options if Bichette ends up elsewhere.

The Bigger Picture for San Francisco

Second base is a big priority, but it’s not the only thing on the Giants’ plate. The bullpen still feels shaky, and roster balance matters a lot as San Francisco tries to keep up in a tough National League.

Landing someone like Donovan or Hoerner would be a real upgrade. The Giants want to turn second base from a weak spot into a strength, and honestly, that shift could be huge for 2026.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Giants Aggressively Pursuing Second Base Upgrade