Why Nico Hoerner's Secret Bay Area Roots Could Shatter the Giants' Future – Or Make Them Unstoppable Legends!

Chicago Cubs v. San Francisco Giants | Kavin Mistry/GettyImages

Amidst a quiet SF Giants offseason, fans were offered a glimmer of hope on Tuesday after Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that San Francisco is aggressively pursuing a second baseman and linked the team to Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner.

While Hoerner would obviously be an ideal fit as a player with the Giants given the fact that he is fast, hits for average, and is great defensively, three departments the Giants would love to improve in, but his ties to the Bay Area could give him reason to stick around for a while.

Hoerner’s Bay Area ties could make him long-term fit with SF Giants

Nico Hoerner scores from second on a wild pitch

The 28-year-old was born in Oakland and grew up in the Bay Area. He attended Stanford University and one of his parents works for the University of California, Berkeley. Hoerner reportedly lives in San Francisco during the offseason and even proposed to his girlfriend in the City by the Bay.

If the Giants were able to swing a trade for him, they could definitely have a leg up over other teams to get him to stay in San Francisco for the long term. What better situation than to play for a Bay Area team close to family in a city that means so much to him?

Of course, it will not be that simple. Other teams would surely love to trade for Hoerner and the Giants would have to part ways with some good players in order to make a deal happen. Maybe parting ways with a package of 2025 first-round draft pick Gavin Kilen, infielder Casey Schmitt, and top pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt or maybe Illinois native Hayden Birdsong would get Chicago interested.

SB Nation Reacts survey: Nico Hoerner is the player you most want to see the Cubs extend | Bleed Cubbie Blue

But the Cubs seem to be in a win-now mode after signing Alex Bregman so maybe they will try to retain all of their key pieces and make a run in 2026.

Still, even if the Giants cannot land him in a trade, expect them to be heavily tied to Hoerner next offseason if he does hit the free agent market. He just makes too much sense for the Giants given their deficiencies although they do have a backup option via trade.

Hoerner slashed .297/.345/.394 with seven homers and 61 runs batted in last season. He also stole 29 bases and won a Gold Glove for his defense at second base so he would improve a Giants team that is too slow, does not make contact enough, and struggles defensively.

Add that to his strong Bay Area ties and he makes almost too much sense in a Giants uniform. Making it a reality is a different matter altogether though.