Cubs 'creative' deadline moves will expand to Triple-A reinforcements

The Chicago Cubs will be buyers at the deadline. That much is understood, but who they are going to go out and add is still a massive question.

Now, one insider believes he has an idea of what kind of player the team will look to acquire, and it might surprise some fans to realize just how deep the buying is going to get.

On the heels of Jed Hoyer talking about getting "creative" at the MLB trade deadline, Bruce Levine believes he has the inside track on just how the POBO will work once it's time to build up the team as best he can. The insider shared his take on how and where the Cubs will add names when he appeared on 670 The Score on July 21.

"Basically, they have to load up their minor leagues before August 1 with viable pitching and guys that they can bring up and back as well as DFA," Levin said about his expected Chicago Cubs moves later this month. "In other words, veteran pitchers who have been there and done that."

Chicago Cubs trade deadline: Expect veteran, optionable pitchers to bulk up Iowa and Wrigley staffs

In short, Levine believes that not only will the Cubs look to add players at expected positions like the rotation, bullpen, and possibly third base, but Hoyer will also look to add players who, at first glance, aren't much more than depth pieces. In other words, expect the Cubs to add backup plans for underperformers or injuries.

"Normally," Levine continued, "We talk about the trade deadline getting players from other teams for the 26-man roster. In the case of the Cubs, they're going to have to be creative with the guys that have options, and they'll have to bring in veterans that they can store at AAA, as well as send some of their younger people back to AAA, so that they have enough to get through."

The idea that the Cubs will look to add players who can swing between the majors and Triple-A makes quite a bit of sense upon reflection. After all, the team's minor leagues are not chock-full of those kinds of guys at the moment. Farm depth will only get weaker if Hoyer pulls off some big trades.

The team has already executed a similar move of this style (though not via trade) when they signed veteran right-hander Spencer Turnbull over the weekend.

The Chicago Cubs would be wise to address both impact players and various depth options. It will be interesting to see how the team balances both of those pursuits over the next ten days.