The San Francisco Giants are on the hunt for a second baseman, and they’re casting a wide net. After a 2025 season that saw the keystone manned by Tyler Fitzgerald, Casey Schmitt, and Christian Koss-with results that were, frankly, underwhelming-the front office is clearly looking for an upgrade. Now, they’re reportedly checking in on a number of intriguing trade targets, including Nico Hoerner of the Cubs and Brandon Lowe of the Rays.
Let’s break it down.
The Current State of Second Base in San Francisco
Fitzgerald, Schmitt, and Koss each got their shot in 2025, but none of them did enough to lock down the job. Schmitt came the closest to league-average production at the plate, but his defensive metrics left a lot to be desired. In a division where defense up the middle can make or break a season, that’s a concern.
And when you look at the free-agent market? It’s thin.
Bo Bichette is out there and reportedly open to playing second, but the Giants have been hesitant to hand out another long-term contract this offseason. Meanwhile, other potential fits-Ha-Seong Kim, Jorge Polanco, Gleyber Torres-are already off the board.
What’s left are utility players like Ramón Urías, Willi Castro, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Solid depth pieces, sure, but not the kind of impact bat or glove that moves the needle.
So, the trade market is where the Giants are turning-and that’s where things get interesting.
The Trade Targets: Marte, Donovan, Hoerner, Lowe
San Francisco has been linked to a handful of names, each with their own strengths, risks, and price tags.
Ketel Marte has been a fixture in trade rumors, but prying him away from a division rival like the Diamondbacks would be a long shot. Even if Arizona decides to move him, it’s hard to see them sending him to a team they’ll see 13 times a year.
Brendan Donovan might be the most realistic option. The Cardinals are rebuilding, and Donovan-who can play all over the diamond-is two years away from free agency.
That makes him an attractive trade chip. The Giants are reportedly one of the finalists for Donovan, but they’re far from alone.
Half the league has shown interest, and with his versatility and team control, the asking price won’t be cheap.
Then there’s Brandon Lowe, who brings a completely different profile. When healthy, Lowe offers legitimate power-he’s topped 20 home runs four times and launched 31 in 2025.
But durability has been a concern, and his defense and baserunning don’t stack up. His strikeout and walk rates have also trended in the wrong direction.
Still, the Rays have a history of moving players as they get more expensive, and Lowe’s $11.5 million salary for 2026 puts him in that zone.
Nico Hoerner, meanwhile, is almost the anti-Lowe. He’s not going to hit 30 homers-he’s never even hit 10 in a season-but he does just about everything else well.
He’s fast, durable, and elite defensively. He’s a tough out at the plate, rarely strikes out, and swipes around 30 bags a year.
He’s good enough to play shortstop, but the Cubs have Dansby Swanson locked in there, so Hoerner has settled in at second-where he might be the best defender in the game.
Would the Cubs Even Move Hoerner?
That’s the million-dollar question. Hoerner is under contract through 2026 at a reasonable $12 million per year and consistently provides 4-5 WAR seasons.
He’s valuable, affordable, and a steady presence in the Cubs’ lineup. There’s no financial pressure to move him, and Chicago isn’t exactly in a teardown mode.
But there’s a timeline consideration here. Hoerner will be a free agent after 2026, and with Swanson signed through 2029, the Cubs may not have a long-term spot for him at short.
If Hoerner sees himself as a top free-agent shortstop next winter-and he might be, with J.P. Crawford and a now 31-year-old Ha-Seong Kim as his main competition-he could price himself out of Chicago’s plans.
The Cubs have reportedly been linked to third basemen like Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez, which could open up some infield maneuvering. If they land a big bat at third, they could shift Matt Shaw-who played mostly third base in 2025 but has experience at second-into Hoerner’s spot. Shaw isn’t Hoerner defensively, but he’s solid, and the offensive upgrade from someone like Bregman could offset the loss.
That’s not to say the Cubs will trade Hoerner. But if they don’t plan to extend him-and if they believe Shaw is ready-it’s a scenario that could make sense. Especially if they want to stay competitive while also managing long-term roster flexibility.
Where the Giants Stand
For San Francisco, the second base search is just one piece of a larger offseason puzzle. According to reports, the front office is prioritizing pitching and outfield help. That’s part of what makes Brendan Donovan so appealing-he can play both second and the outfield, giving the Giants options.
Still, the second base market is in a bit of a holding pattern. Everyone’s waiting to see who makes the first move. If the Cardinals deal Donovan, that could trigger a domino effect, with teams pivoting to other targets like Hoerner or Lowe.
The Giants are clearly doing their homework. They know second base was a weak spot in 2025, and they’re exploring every angle to fix it. Whether that means swinging a deal for a versatile bat like Donovan, taking a power gamble on Lowe, or going all-in on a glove-first, high-floor player like Hoerner remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: the Giants aren’t standing pat. And with the second base market heating up, this could be one of the more intriguing storylines to watch as the offseason unfolds.