Latest Cubs minor league signing could be telling of MLB Trade Deadline direction

Minor league signings often do not get much attention during the season as most of the time, the moves are made to add depth to the various levels of the organization. Still, there are moves that garner more interest than others, such as when the Cubs added veteran reliever Jorge Lopez earlier this season. Given the Cubs' need in the bullpen at the Major League level, it seemed likely that Lopez would eventually find his way to the Major League team.

Lopez is now in the Cubs' bullpen and has allowed 1 run through his first 4 outings.

While Lopez's signing was a clear result of the Cubs needing bullpen help, the team made a curious minor league signing earlier this week as they added inked outfielder Trayce Thompson. Thompson, you might remember, had a run at the Major League level with the Cubs during the second half of the 2021 season when he hit 4 home runs through 15 games with the team.

Power has always been the main component of Thompson's offensive profile, but his struggles with making contact are why he has been a fringe MLB player since making his Major League debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2015.

Trayce Thompson's return to the Cubs' organization could signal preparation for the MLB Trade Deadline.

Moving past the jokes that could be had over Jed Hoyer's answer to the Cubs' offensive needs being Thompson, it would seem that this was a move made due to outfield depth needed at Iowa. Brennen Davis is out for the remainder of the season due to a back injury and Owen Caissie has also been sidelined in recent weeks due to a back injury of his own. With Alexander Canario taking Cody Bellinger's spot in the Major Leagues due to Bellinger's finger injury, the Iowa Cubs are in need of outfield depth.

Though, if we're being cynical, Thompson's minor league deal could loosely be a sign of the Cubs preparing for the Trade Deadline. Even if Bellinger's injury prevents him from being moved, Mike Tauchman could be a target for contending teams as a fourth outfielder. This means that Thompson could view the Cubs as a team that will give him a run at the Major League level after the deadline.