Overview
- ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports San Francisco has recently been “aggressive” in trade discussions for Hoerner and Donovan, with no agreement in place.
- The Cardinals’ rebuild makes Donovan the likelier target, and he is under control through 2027 after a $5.8 million agreement for 2026 to avoid arbitration.
- Hoerner is owed $12 million in 2026 and is a year from free agency, and Chicago’s win-now posture after adding Alex Bregman suggests a higher acquisition cost.
- Second base was a major weakness for the Giants in 2025, as the position produced a .217/.273/.343 line and a 73 wRC+, ranking 27th in MLB.
- Both players are contact-first, versatile defenders who would complement Matt Chapman, Willy Adames and Rafael Devers, with San Francisco able to absorb either salary given a projected ~$185 million payroll.