Jordan Danks with 11 HR at AAA. Clearly success there is a predictor of something

I don't waste my time with the Cubs.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I think it's more impressive Baez earned a walk and only 1 strike out! Whoa, unbelievable!!!

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Bryant is rubbing off on him.

Since Bryant arrived in Iowa Baez is hitting well over .300 and has walked 8 times.

FEBRUARY 12: In a substantial update to his original story on the topic, Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel breaks down the latest on the Yankees' July 2 spending plans.

First, McDaniel explains that the club's initial strategy was to reach agreement with a group of six players on the same day earlier in the winter. (The league's spending caps continue to drive the agreement timeline earlier, requiring teams to make larger commitments, notes McDaniel.) About $12MM was verbally committed at that point, spread amongst youngsters Dermis Garcia (a Domincan third baseman), Nelson Gomez (same), Juan De Leon (a Dominican center fielder), Jonathan Amundaray (a Venezuelan outfielder), Chris Torres (a Dominican shortstop), and Diego Castillo (a Venezuelan shortstop).

Other teams, too, are rumored to have struck verbal agreements with various players, as McDaniel details. But with several well-regarded talents still purportedly available, sources say that New York may now be planning a "second phase" that could bring the total spend as high as $20MM.

It appears that the Cubs will ink 6th round RHP Dylan Cease tomorrow, according to VandySports.com. The amount will b $1.5M, which pretty much takes up the rest of the pool money. Cease was a Vanderbilt recruit. H/T to @TeddyRobinson7 for the tip, give him a follow

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Kiley McDaniel‏@kileymcd·
If NYY signs Colombian OF Bryan Emery as some have speculated, it looks like it would push their July 2nd bonus+penalty outlay over $30M.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Bryant just hit his 30th hr of the season and drove in his 80th run. That is pretty ridiculous for this point in the season. Its not like he is a butcher at 3rd or that this super 2 bullshit applies when the Cubs seem prone to signing these early long term deals. It might be time. Valbuena is back to being useless as a starter at 3rd anyways. I would rather he play 2nd over awful Barney. Its time. He should join the club after the break.

Hendricks yanked after 2. On his way to Chicago?

Bryant just hit his 30th hr of the season and drove in his 80th run. That is pretty ridiculous for this point in the season. Its not like he is a butcher at 3rd or that this super 2 bullshit applies when the Cubs seem prone to signing these early long term deals. It might be time. Valbuena is back to being useless as a starter at 3rd anyways. I would rather he play 2nd over awful Barney. Its time. He should join the club after the break.

Cubs have 5 prospects in Baseball Prospectus' mid season top 50:
3. Bryant
5. Baez
6. Russell
18. Alcantara
37. Almora

Developmental Update: Bryant continues to launch home runs, rack up strikeouts, rake at an eye-popping clip, and show a discerning eye at the plate. Through 371 plate appearances between Double A and Triple A, Bryant is slashing .357/.453/.717 and finds himself knocking on Wrigley’s door. He has proven himself without question to be the loudest bat in the minors and a potential impact mainstay in the middle of the Cubs order for the foreseeable future. –Nick Faleris

Developmental Update: Baez has the best bat speed in the minors, and it’s not even close for me; a lethal weapon that could make him the premium power bat in the game. But his approach is below average, and he routinely puts himself in bad hitter’s counts and conditions. With more refinement, the ceiling is cathedral but the risk is still quite high despite the fact that the 21-year-old is more than holding his own at the Triple-A level. –Jason Parks

Developmental Update: From a skill-set perspective, Addison Russell has the most well-rounded profile at the shortstop position in the minors, with above-average chops in the field (including double-plus hands), and impact potential with both the hit and power tools. Russell has lost half a season to injury, but could challenge for the top spot in the minors with a strong second half. The ultimate upside is a perennial all-star at a premium spot, and the future could start as early as 2015. –Jason Parks

Developmental Update: I’ve always liked Alcantara, but I was too low on him coming into the season, despite a skill set that has three-way impact potential at the highest level (hit/glove/run). Now that the 22-year-old has taken his talents to Triple-A, and exceeded expectations at the plate and on base, the future first-division player has jumped the list and emerged as a top 20 prospect in the game. --Jason Parks

Developmental Update: Almora’s had a rough start to his season. His lack of production in half a season at High-A as a 20-year-old shouldn’t obfuscate the tools he still has. Almora makes loud, consistent contact and plays a very good center field due to his ability to make early reads off the bat. The baseball IQ is high and it helps the other tools play up. He’s not the sexy name in the Cubs system, but don’t forget about him. –Mauricio Rubio