Chicago Cubs just blew SF Giants' future plans at second base to smithereens

This past offseason there were some trade rumors linking the SF Giants to Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. While it does not seem like any sort of deal ever even came close to materializing, the dream of Hoerner joining the Giants has sailed as he has reportedly signed a six-year contract extension to remain in Chicago.

This reporting comes via Jesse Rogers of ESPN. If it is true, it means that Hoerner will not hit free agency after the 2026 season so the Giants will not be able to make a run at him.

SF Giants lose out on Nico Hoerner after Cubs extension

It's a shame because Hoerner would have made sense on the Giants for so many reasons. Second base is the only infield position the Giants do not have a long-term commitment to and Hoerner's profile fits exactly what the Giants would have needed.

He slashed .297/.345/.394 with Chicago last season, hitting seven home runs while driving in 61 runs. He also has superb speed as he stole 29 bases last season and was caught six times. Hoerner also has two Gold Gloves to show for his work at second base so he is just a really well-rounded player.

That doesn't even take into consideration the fact that he is a Bay Area native. Born in Oakland, he lives in San Francisco during the offseason and proposed to his wife in the city. How perfect would it have been to lock up a Bay Area guy, who also went to Stanford, for a long time?

Alas, it was but a dream. The Cubs know how valuable of a player Hoerner is so they were smart to lock him down before he could hit free agency.

Now the Giants will have to figure out what to do at second base going forward. As for this season, the Giants signed Luis Arraez to be their second baseman but he is only under contract for 2026. Casey Schmitt could be a potential option for the future as he showed in 2025 that he can be a serviceable everyday second baseman.

Jazz Chisholm is set to be a free agent after this season, as are players like Brandon Lowe and ex-Giant Mauricio Dubón so maybe the Giants will go after one of those options.

Sadly, Hoerner is off the board so the Giants will have to turn elsewhere if they want to upgrade at second base in the offseason.