Now, a few days removed from the Alex Bregman news, the Boston Red Sox are in scramble mode to figure out their infield situation. They’ve already added Willson Contreras to their infield for the 2026 season, but need another bat to put in the lineup to help produce runs. They’ve been linked to a few infielders this offseason and are now feeling the pressure to make a move sooner rather than later.
That said, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the San Francisco Giants are “aggressively pursuing a second baseman and have been engaged with Chicago on Nico Hoerner and St. Louis on Brendan Donovan, sources tell ESPN.”
The Red Sox have been linked to Donovan for months, and recently to Hoerner for the last few days, even before the Bregman news. As it stands right now, the Red Sox need to secure one of these two players from the Giants if they want to fill some needs on the defense and in the lineup. Out of Donovan or Hoerner, who is a viable option for Boston?
Red Sox Should Target Hoerner
GettyChicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner linked to Red Sox
One name who’s been floated around, moreso after the Bregman to Cubs news was announced, is Hoerner. The Cubs’ infield is crowded, compared to the Red Sox’s outfield, and it seems Hoerner is the odd man out. When it comes to the Red Sox, Hoerner could be a solid pickup to slide into the second base role. Furthermore, he could be someone they put into the second spot in the lineup behind Roman Anthony.
Hoerner won’t hit aton of home runs, the most being 10 back in 2022, but he will get on base with a high average and steal some bases. In 2025, he finished with 178 hits (career high), 29 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 61 RBIs, 29 stolen bases, 39 walks, 49 strikeouts, and a .297 average. In 156 games, Hoerner slashed .345/.394/.739 with a 114 OPS+ (career high), and a 6.2 wins above replacement (WAR).
The 6.2 WAR in 2025 was Hoerner’s best season, which saw him snag his second Gold Glove and even finished 19th in MVP voting. For his career, Hoerner has a 21.8 WAR, 738 hits, 128 doubles, 15 triples, 36 home runs, 278 RBIs, 131 stolen bases, and is a career .282 hitter in seven seasons. Despite not being a home run threat, he is someone who limits strikeouts, hits for a high average, and steals bases.
Hoerner Balling Out Since 2021
Since 2021, Hoerner has not hit lower than .273 and has stolen 20 or more bases each season, with him stealing 43 in 2023. Since 2022, Hoerner’s WAR numbers have been 4.2, 5.5, 3.7, and 6.2. That’s 19.6 WAR in four seasons, while playing in over 150 games in each of the last three years. Since 2022, Hoerner has slashed .339/.389/.728, with a .284 average, and an OPS+ of 105.
Oh, Hoener is also a right-handed batter. He will bring a balance to the heavy left-handed hitting lineup the Red Sox have currently, and some Gold Glove-caliber defense, which struggled down the stretch at the back end of the season.
Upon reviewing his Baseball Savant page, there is a case to be made for trading and potentially extending Hoerner if the Red Sox acquire him. In 2025, his baserunning value was in the 96th percentile (5), and his fielding run value was 97th (13). Hoerner’s range (OAA) was clocked in at the 98th percentile (15). When it comes to batting, Hoerner was in the 98th percentile for xBA (.292), along with his squared-up% being 96th (36.5%). While his chase% came in at the 20th percentile, his whiff% was 99th (11.2%), and K% was also 99th (7.6%).
Hoerner is difficult to get out when in the batter’s box and can put pressure on teams to make mistakes with his speed. His sprint speed comes in at the 82nd percentile (28.6).
If there was someone to target via trade, and then extend following the 2026 season for the Red Sox, it’s Nico Hoerner of the Cubs. He will fit in nicely with his contract AAV ($12M), age (29 in May), speed, defense, on base, etc. The only thing that will come down to is whether the Red Sox are willing to trade more prospects away or give up an outfielder in a 1-for-1 for Hoerner.
Donovan Still Linked to Boston
GettyBrendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals
It’s been known for a while that the Red Sox have been linked to Donovan of the Cardinals. Now that the Giants are being aggressive in their pursuit of him, could the Red Sox be more willing to pull the trigger on acquiring him?
Like Hoerner, Donovan is currently 28 years old. However, his AAV is considerably less as he is set to make $5.75 million in 2026, and will be a free agent heading into the 2028 season. His age-30 season in 2027 will be his third-year of arbitration.
In 2025, Donovan had a .287 average, with 132 hits, 32 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, three stolen bases, and 42 walks. He finished with a slashline of .353/.442/.775, along with an OPS+ of 118, and a 2.7 WAR in 118 games. When it comes to his Baseball Savant page, it’s clear why he’s on Breslow’s shortlist. Donovan’s squared-up percentage is in the 96th percentile, and his LA sweet spot is at the 94th. He comes in at the 69th percentile in chase%, 95th in whiff%, and 92nd in K%. He is not a hard hitter, but he can square up on a baseball to get on base, draw walks, and not get struck out.
When it comes down to it, either Hoerner or Donovan could be solid additions at second base for the Red Sox. Whichever player they bring into the infield, Marcelo Mayer could slide into the third base role and go from there. It will come down to which player the Red Sox are comfortable trading for, along with which assets they give up in the process. Will it be prospects or current roster players? The Red Sox have an abundance of outfielders; maybe they trade one of them away for either Hoerner or Donovan.
It’s now about getting uncomfortable and actually making the team better in ’26. Are they willing to do it, though?
Red Sox Pressured by NL Clubs to Secure Infield Help