Tue Jan 13 16:30:00 UTC 2026: # Giants Intensify Second Base Pursuit, Eye Hoerner and Donovan
The Story:
The San Francisco Giants are reportedly escalating their efforts to address their glaring weakness at second base. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Giants are “aggressively” pursuing trades for Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs and Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals. This urgency stems from the Giants’ abysmal production from the second base position in 2025, where they ranked near the bottom of the league in offensive output.
Key Points:
* The Giants are aggressively pursuing Nico Hoerner (Cubs) and Brendan Donovan (Cardinals) to fill their second base void.
* Giants second basemen ranked 27th in MLB in 2025 with a 73 wRC+.
* Brendan Donovan is under team control through 2027 and recently agreed to a $5.8MM deal.
* The Cardinals are in the early stages of a rebuild and may be willing to trade Donovan.
* Nico Hoerner is owed $12MM in the final year of his contract.
* The Cubs are in “win-now” mode, making a Hoerner trade less likely unless they receive immediate MLB talent in return, following the signing of Alex Bregman.
Critical Analysis:
The Giants’ aggressive pursuit of a second baseman signifies a clear shift towards contention. Their significant investment in the infield with Matt Chapman and Willy Adames suggests a commitment to improving their roster across the board. With the Cardinals in a rebuilding phase under new president Chaim Bloom, Donovan becomes a more accessible target than Hoerner, whose value to the contending Cubs is higher. The comments suggest the Giants have made an “aggressive offer” to Alex Bregman, however it would not be enough to get the deal done.
Key Takeaways:
* The Giants are prioritizing an immediate upgrade at second base for the 2026 season.
* The Cardinals’ rebuilding status makes Brendan Donovan a more realistic trade target for the Giants.
* The Cubs would likely demand a significant return for Nico Hoerner, given their “win-now” ambitions.
* The Giants’ offseason moves indicate a desire to compete for a playoff spot in 2026.
* Fan sentiment from Giants faithful leans toward trading for Donovan, with many believing the Cardinals may not ask for much in return.
First Piper 