The San Francisco Giants are leading the MLB second-base trade market, in deep discussions with the St. Louis Cardinals for versatile Gold Glove winner Brendan Donovan and the Chicago Cubs for Nico Hoerner, whose trade value spiked after Chicago's signing of Alex Bregman created infield surplus. Both players offer elite contact hitting and defense to address San Francisco's 27th-ranked OPS at the position last season, amid the Cardinals' rebuild and Cubs' payroll concerns.
The Giants aim to build one of MLB's top infields alongside Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, and Rafael Devers, upgrading from Casey Schmitt, who is recovering from wrist surgery. Reports indicate active talks for Donovan, a 2025 All-Star who avoided arbitration with a $5.8 million salary for 2026. In 118 games last year, the left-handed hitter batted .287 with 10 home runs, 32 doubles, 50 RBIs, ranking in the 96th percentile for squared-up batted balls and 95th for low whiff rate. A 2022 Gold Glove winner, Donovan plays multiple infield/outfield spots. The rebuilding Cardinals, post-Nolan Arenado trade, seek to shed payroll and promote prospects like JJ Wetherholt; reporter Mark Feinsand calls Donovan a near-lock to be dealt, with interest from Mariners and Red Sox.
Hoerner, a Bay Area native and Stanford alum, earned his second straight Gold Glove in 2025 while hitting .297 over 156 games. The Cubs' five-year, $175 million signing of Bregman ($70 million deferred, ~$31 million AAV for CBT) crowded the infield with Dansby Swanson, Bregman, and prospect Matt Shaw. Hoerner, turning 29 in May and a free agent after 2026 ($12 million salary), posted four straight ~4 WAR seasons, a 7.6% strikeout rate (3rd in MLB), 95.8% in-zone contact (3rd), and elite baserunning. Manager Craig Counsell lauded his intangibles: "Nico is great at some -- really things that I think other people think they're good at, and they're not as good at it... what made Nico a very good baseball player."
Chicago, nearing the $244 million CBT threshold, would require an overwhelming offer to trade a core leader amid NL Central contention. Interest predates Bregman, from teams like Yankees, Giants, and Mariners (who pursued Hoerner/Donovan last offseason). Arizona halting Ketel Marte talks has spotlighted this market. Giants reporter Maria Guardado notes both would majorly upgrade Schmitt. With spring training near, San Francisco eyes a quick deal after their 81-81 2025 season.
