San Francisco Giants aggressively pursuing Hoerner, Donovan

In the aftermath of the Chicago Cubs signing Alex Bregman, the immediate fallout was that the Cubs suddenly had one infielder too many on their projected 26-man roster. The fan base has been divided on whether to keep Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw, or trade one of the two.

Given that the Cubs just acquired Bregman, it wouldn’t make sense for them to trade Hoerner. He is fresh off his best season in a Cubs uniform, entering his prime, and is more of an extension candidate. Trading Hoerner is a move you’d expect if the Cubs were selling. Losing a core piece of the roster would effectively push the team in the wrong direction.

The Cardinals, however, are continuing their fire sale. Passan dropped another bombshell shortly after this morning. The Cardinals have dealt Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Donovan appears to be the next man up.

The Giants’ acquiring Donovan is far more plausible than the Cubs’ moving Hoerner. It’s on record that the Cubs would need to be blown away by a “no-brainer” deal to move their star second baseman.

Why Donovan makes more sense for the San Francisco Giants

Donovan still has two years remaining on his rookie deal before reaching free agency in 2028. The cost of acquiring Hoerner, even for one year, likely exceeds Donovan’s price tag, given that the Cubs aren’t desperate to move him. Hoerner competed for the batting title in 2025, finishing at .297, just behind Trea Turner.

Donovan has been a good player in his own right, slashing a career .282/.361/.422. Donovan may be the more attractive piece with two years of control left. Hoerner, on the other hand, will almost certainly test the market after one year in San Francisco.

Other teams, such as the New York Yankees, have checked in on Hoerner, but talks have gone nowhere fast. The Cubs will likely roll into 2026 with both Hoerner and Shaw on the roster. This will buy time for the front office to decide how to proceed closer to the trade deadline. Shaw’s progress will be a huge determining factor in Hoerner’s future with the Cubs. For now, it would be a shock if Hoerner is moved before the 2026 season begins.