The SF Giants are reportedly aggressively pursuing an upgrade at second base with Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner and St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan the reported targets.
With the acquisition of Alex Bregman by the Cubs earlier this week, and the breaking news that Nolan Arenado is on the move from the Cardinals, both teams seem open to dealing their second basemen from last season. However, from the Giants’ perspective, one trade partner would certainly be more advantageous, and would be mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
SF Giants would be wiser to pursue trade with Cardinals
Either Hoerner or Donovan would give the Giants arguably the best infield in major league baseball when partnered with Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, and Rafael Devers around the horn. Both are about the same age and Gold Glove caliber defenders, but Hoerner would be the better option in terms of production and fit. That being said, the Giants should make a stronger push for Donovan.
With the addition of Bregman, the Cubs have an excess of good infielders, and are much more in a win-now mode. Trading for Hoerner will undoubtedly cost a hefty prospect package that the Giants may not be willing to part with. On the other hand, the Cardinals are in full rebuild mode, trading away their veteran stars in Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, and Nolan Arenado in the last couple months. They would probably be more willing to deal for a much smaller deal like a young major league ready player and two lower pitching prospects.
A deal with the Cardinals is the way to go. The Giants need to hold on to higher ranked prospects to boost up their questionable minor league system, and continue to develop the next wave of Giants. This would also be a great match for the human element. Casey Schmitt, already blocked at his more natural positions by Adames and Chapman, would be a young major league ready talent ripe for an everyday chance with the Cardinals. Schmitt at third base replacing Arenado would be a great fit, and would provide an excellent left side of the infield for years when partnered with Rookie of the Year hopeful J.J. Wetherholt. That is something to build on for the Cardinals’ future, along with a couple of pitching prospects that they can develop.
Giants fans have been clamoring for more roster movement this offseason and an upgrade at second base would at least be a move in the right direction. That being said, there is now a clear path to doing so. We will wait to see if Posey and Minasian pull it off.
