Cleveland Indians: 5 biggest disappointments of 2021 at quarter pole

The Cleveland Indians are playing well above expectations, sitting at 23-18 at the quarter poll of the season. Yep, the quarter mark of the season actually game a few games ago, but since this is the marathon of baseball, we’re good with being around the 25 percentage-ish mark.

Entering May 21, the Tribe is 23-18, 2.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central’s division. For fans who’ve been watching all year, it’s a miracle. After Franmil Reyes bats, the Indians lineup seriously lacks punch. They’ve been no-hit twice and are 28th in MLB with a .213 average.

Yet, somehow, someway, the team with the lowest payroll in baseball is hanging around the top of the standings. Tribe fans of the 60s, 70s and 80s will who saw Tribe teams serve as the AL’s doormat certainly aren’t taking this team for granted. Terry Francona’s current roster is flawed, but it looks like they’re going to make things interesting all summer long–and as a baseball fan, that’s all you can ask for.

One wonders what the Dolans could’ve done with some minor investments in the club, instead of the total teardown we bore witness to last winter.

Then, there’s the moves that aren’t working out. Here’s five of the biggest disappointments with a quarter of the season in the books.