{"id":519009,"date":"2026-01-13T23:35:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T23:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/519009\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T23:35:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T23:35:15","slug":"san-francisco-giants-aggressively-pursuing-hoerner-donovan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/519009\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco Giants aggressively pursuing Hoerner, Donovan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this morning, Jeff Passan dropped another rumor regarding the trade market. The San Francisco Giants are aggressively pursuing both Nico Hoerner<\/a> of the Chicago Cubs and Brendan Donovan<\/a> of the St. Louis Cardinals.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s best.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In the aftermath of the Chicago Cubs signing Alex Bregman<\/a>, 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<\/a>, Matt Shaw<\/a>, or trade one of the two<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Given that the Cubs just acquired Bregman, it wouldn\u2019t 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\u2019d expect if the Cubs were selling. Losing a core piece of the roster would effectively push the team in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n

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

BREAKING: The Arizona Diamondbacks are acquiring eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, sources tell ESPN. Arenado has agreed to waive his no-trade clause and the deal is done.<\/p>\n

First to say the deal was close was @katiejwoo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Giants\u2019 acquiring Donovan is far more plausible than the Cubs\u2019 moving Hoerner. It\u2019s on record that the Cubs would need to be blown away by a \u201cno-brainer\u201d deal to move their star second baseman.<\/p>\n

Why Donovan makes more sense for the San Francisco Giants<\/p>\n

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\u2019s price tag, given that the Cubs aren\u2019t desperate to move him. Hoerner competed for the batting title in 2025, finishing at .297, just behind Trea Turner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s progress will be a huge determining factor in Hoerner\u2019s future with the Cubs. For now, it would be a shock if Hoerner is moved before the 2026 season begins.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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