Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein knows the dangers of making guarantees, but he still feels confident enough to predict the team will win at least 90 games.
“Over the next two years,” he clarified. “Maybe we win 60 this year and 30 next season, or maybe it’s 40 and then 50. I feel extremely secure in the statement that the Cubs will rack up 90 victories between 2014 and 2015.”
Critics argue a total of 90 victories spread over two seasons will represent a huge step backward for the organization, but Epstein doesn’t see it that way.
“Hey, I said ‘at least,’ That means we could totally win 90 this year,” he said. “I mean, I’m not going to guarantee that, per se, but it’s within the realm of possibility given the young talent we have coming up through the minors.”
Upon hearing Epstein’s guarantee, many around the league were skeptical.
“I guess if he feels that rotation is capable of winning 45 per year…” said an NL Central GM. “Did he trade Edwin Jackson, by any chance?”
