Report: SF Giants eyeing two big-name targets on trade market

The San Francisco Giants have made a few moves this offseason, but they are still looking to make a splash before Spring Training begins next month.

While team president Buster Posey has added to the rotation by signing pitchers Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser, bringing another bat into the fold appears to be next on the to-do list.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Giants are “aggressively pursuing” trades for a second baseman and have held talks with the Chicago Cubs for infielder Nico Hoerner and St. Louis Cardinals regarding utilityman Brendan Donovan.

The San Francisco Giants are aggressively pursuing a second baseman and have been engaged with Chicago on Nico Hoerner and St. Louis on Brendan Donovan, sources tell ESPN. An infield of Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Donovan or Hoerner and Rafael Devers would be among MLB’s best.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2026

Hoerner, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner at second base, can also play shortstop and third base. The 28-year-old is a Bay Area native, growing up in Oakland and attending Stanford University during his college playing days.

While Hoerner, who batted a career-best .297 in 2025 and posted 6.2 wins above replacement (eighth-best in MLB), would be a solid addition for a San Francisco Giants infield that already includes Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, and top-prospect Bryce Eldridge, his asking price is reportedly high—that is, if the Cubs plan on actually moving the seven-year veteran.

Hoerner’s future with Chicago has come into question following the news of star third baseman Alex Bregman’s five-year deal that was reached over the weekend, but it’s possible the Cubs retain the second baseman and roll with an infield of Bregman, Dansby Swanson, Hoerner, and Michael Busch.

The veteran infielder is due to make $12 million in 2026 before hitting free agency next winter.

Donovan, who has been one of the hottest names on the trade market this offseason, is much more likely to be moved as St. Louis moves into a rebuild.

The Cardinals have already shipped out pitcher Sonny Gray (Boston), first baseman Willson Contreras (Boston), and third baseman Nolan Arenado (Arizona) this offseason, and Donovan is another player the Red Birds can cash in on before Opening Day.

Brendan Donovan, who is 4-4 tonight, ranks 1st among qualified NL second basemen in…

Hits (83)
XBH (25)
AVG (.324)
OBP (.389)
SLG (.453)
OPS (.843)
wRC+ (140)
wOBA (.370)
fWAR (2.4)…

And ranks 4th in all-star voting! pic.twitter.com/7PRfJ3QE30

— Jacob (@jacobledelman) June 18, 2025

Donovan was named to his first All-Star team in 2025, batting .287 while hitting 10 home runs and driving in 50 runs over 118 games. The soon-to-be-29-year-old walked 42 times against 67 strikeouts, boosting his OPS to a career-high .775 in 2025 (min. 100 games played).

Seeing that Donovan won’t reach free agency until 2028, his price will also be steep for Posey and the San Francisco Giants, but they are in need of more additions if they are to keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.

As of today, the Giants have Casey Schmitt (12 HR, .237 AVG in 2025) pencilled in at second base. While Schmitt can provide depth and play around the infield, having an All-Star caliber player like Hoerner or Donovan in the lineup would raise San Francisco’s ceiling.

With three weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, the time is now for Posey to strike.

More San Francisco Giants content from Sactown Sports

Story from January 1st

The San Francisco Giants added another veteran arm to their rotation, agreeing to a one-year deal with right-hander Tyler Mahle on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Mahle, 31, is coming off a sharp but abbreviated 2025 with the Texas Rangers, posting a career-best 2.18 ERA with a 6-4 record and 66 strikeouts over 86 2/3 innings in 16 starts.

Reports: Giants agree to 1-year deal with RHP Tyler Mahle

Upcoming San Francisco Giants & MLB Offseason Schedule

• Early-January – MLB Arbitration Negotiations
• Mid-February – Pitchers & Catchers report for Spring Training
• Saturday, February 21st – @ Seattle Mariners (Spring Training Opener)

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