Theo Epstein knows the Cubs are far away from contention, but he doesn't expect the team to lose 100 games in 2013.

Chicago's president discussed the first 17 months of his tenure on Tuesday.

"I'd be disappointed if that happened," Epstein of losing 100 games again. "I think the key is what kind of start we get off to. If you look up in July and we're in it, we're gonna go for it. We talked about it before -- every chance to make the playoffs is sacred.

"And if we look up in July and take a cold assessment of our club and we're not in it, then we have to address our future. And then it could get ugly for the last couple months the way it did last year. A lot depends on that fork in the road, so nothing would surprise me either way."

Epstein believes the Cubs are about 30% along in their reconstruction project.

"I am pleased with the progress that we've made, but you always want to do more," he said. "Obviously, it was a really difficult first year at the major league level, but there is a ton of momentum in this organization. A year ago, I felt like even internally we were trying to explain ourselves and lay out the program that we thought was best for the organization and see who was on board and who wasn't. Now that's all in the past and everyone who is here is on board.

"We feel great about where we are going. It was a huge year for the farm system and everything that happened behind the scenes. We don't want to keep talking about it. We can't wait for the season to start so we can go out and do it so our prospects can continue to develop. I think we are going to surprise some people at the major-league level with the quality and depth of our pitching staff. Each year the organization is getting healthier and healthier and that's what we want."