The San Francisco Giants have made it clear they’re swinging for power in 2026. With the additions of Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, and Matt Chapman, this lineup has no shortage of muscle.
But all that pop doesn’t mean much if there’s no one setting the table. That’s where the Giants still have a big question mark-at the top of the order.
Right now, they’re missing a true leadoff presence. Someone who can grind out at-bats, get on base consistently, and put pressure on defenses with speed and savvy.
Power is great, but without a catalyst to ignite the offense, it can fall flat. That’s why a name like Brendan Donovan makes so much sense for San Francisco.
Donovan, a 29-year-old All-Star with the Cardinals, checks just about every box the Giants need. He’s a high-contact hitter with a career built on getting on base and playing elite defense all over the field.
In 2025, he posted a .287/.353/.422 slash line with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and 64 RBIs in 118 games. That’s not just solid-it’s the kind of production that keeps an offense moving.
He’s not flashy, but he’s incredibly effective. Donovan brings a Gold Glove pedigree and the kind of versatility that modern teams covet.
He can play second base, slot into a corner outfield spot, or move around the diamond as needed. For a Giants team that still has holes to fill and is trying to maximize every roster spot, that flexibility is gold.
There’s also the contract factor. Donovan just inked a one-year, $5.8 million deal to avoid arbitration and still has a year of team control after that. That’s a bargain for a player of his caliber, and it gives the Giants some financial wiggle room to make another splash-whether that’s another trade or a late free-agent signing.
Of course, a player like Donovan won’t come cheap. The Cardinals know what they have, and any team looking to pry him away will need to come with a serious offer. But if the Giants are serious about making a playoff push-and their recent moves suggest they are-then targeting one of the best all-around position players still available feels like a logical next step.
Adding Donovan wouldn’t just fill a need; it would bring balance to a lineup that currently leans heavy on power but light on consistency. With him leading off in front of Adames, Devers, and Chapman, the Giants could finally have the offensive structure to match their ambitions.
Time will tell if San Francisco pulls the trigger, but the fit is hard to ignore. If the Giants want to turn their offseason momentum into October baseball, Brendan Donovan might be the missing piece.
