Fri Mar 28 05:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Cubs Manager Counsell Ready to Lead Improved Team into Season Opener

**PHOENIX, AZ** – Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell begins his second season at the helm Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, armed with a significantly improved roster and high expectations. After a year spent learning the organization, Counsell now has a firmer grasp on the team and is focused on achieving the “playoff standard” of 90 wins, a target PECOTA projections suggest the Cubs are capable of reaching.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer bolstered the roster during the offseason, working within budgetary constraints to assemble a team projected to win 91 games. This improved roster, coupled with Counsell’s leadership and the team’s heightened expectations, sets the stage for a potentially successful season.

Counsell, in the second year of a five-year, $40 million contract, is confident in his team’s abilities and welcomes the pressure. While the manager’s impact on win totals is debatable, the Cubs’ front office clearly believes in Counsell’s capacity to guide them to the playoffs. The team’s investment signifies a long-term commitment to his vision, emphasizing cultural improvements and process enhancements.

Despite being the fourth most valuable MLB franchise, the Cubs maintain a relatively modest payroll. However, with the “marginal value of a win” becoming a key phrase this offseason, each victory holds significant weight in the team’s playoff aspirations. Counsell’s performance will be scrutinized, and any difference in wins from projections could prove pivotal in their postseason hopes. The team looks to build on last year’s performance and erase any lingering disappointment.

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