THE GIANTS’ “CHECK-IN” MET WITH REJECTION
CHICAGO, IL—The “insanity” of trading a homegrown cornerstone has been the talk of Wrigleyville all week. As of December 20, 2025, multiple reports—headlined by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle—confirm that the San Francisco Giants have officially “checked in” on the availability of Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner.
However, despite Hoerner entering the final year of his contract (free agent in 2027), the Cubs’ front office appears to have slammed the door. Following a 2025 season where Hoerner cemented himself as the “heart and soul” of the franchise, Jed Hoyer is reportedly signaling that it would take a “historic overpay” to pry the Bay Area native away from the North Side.
THE “POSTSEASON MONSTER” AND THE GOLD GLOVE REPEAT
The rumors of Hoerner’s departure have been met with fierce resistance from fans, and the numbers back up their loyalty. Hoerner didn’t just “hit” in the 2025 playoffs—he dominated.
- The .419 Factor: Hoerner turned into an October legend in 2025, slashing .419/.424/.548 over 8 postseason games. His ability to produce in high-leverage moments has redefined his value from a “contact hitter” to a “postseason anchor.”
- Gold Glove Excellence: On November 3, 2025, Hoerner was officially awarded his second career NL Gold Glove.1 He led all MLB second basemen with 17 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and 14 Outs Above Average (OAA).2+1
- The “Zero Strikeout” Threat: In an era of high whiffs, Hoerner finished 2025 with a career-best 7.6% strikeout rate, the second-lowest among all qualified MLB hitters.3
BY THE NUMBERS: THE HOERNER HIERARCHY
| Metric | 2025 Season Totals | NL Rank (at 2B) |
| Batting Avg. | .297 | 1st |
| Stolen Bases | 29 | 2nd |
| fWAR | 4.8 (Career High) | 2nd (behind Ketel Marte) |
| Postseason Avg. | .419 | 1st (Minimum 30 ABs) |
| 2026 Salary | $12 Million | “Steal” for a Top-Tier Starter |
THE “BREGMAN DOMINO” THEORY
The only reason Hoerner’s name has even surfaced in trade talks is due to the “Bregman Domino.”
- The Target: The Cubs are currently the frontrunners to sign free agent Alex Bregman.
- The Shift: If Bregman signs to play third base, the Cubs could theoretically move rookie star Matt Shaw to second base.4
- The Trade: This would make Hoerner a “luxury” trade chip to acquire a top-of-the-rotation ace.
However, insiders like Patrick Mooney of The Athletic term a Hoerner trade as “highly unlikely.” Manager Craig Counsell reportedly views Hoerner as the “defensive lynchpin” that allows the pitching staff to thrive.
THE VERDICT: HEART OVER HARVEST
While the Giants can offer a “personal twist”—Hoerner grew up an Oakland A’s fan and attended Stanford—the Cubs realize that losing the “heart of the team” for a prospect or a middle-tier pitcher would be a PR disaster and a competitive step backward. As we head into 2026, Nico Hoerner isn’t just a trade chip; he’s the bridge to the next Cubs dynasty.
