The loss of SP Shane Bieber for half the 2021 season was too much for Cleveland to overcome to make the postseason. They finished two games under .500, giving the newly renamed Guardians their first losing season since 2012. They finished 18th in ERA (4.34), allowing 70 more runs than in 2019 (657). Cleveland’s bullpen had 32 wins, 30 losses and 39 saves with a 3.64 ERA (sixth). The Guardians also ranked 18th in runs (717), 12th in home runs (203) and third in stolen bases (109).
They only lost backend players to free agency (RP Blake Parker, RP Oliver Perez, RP Bryan Shaw, C Roberto Perez, RP Nick Wittgren and C Wilson Ramos). Cleveland added C Sandy Leon to compete for a backup catching job. They traded OF Harold Ramirez to the Cubs for cash.
Cleveland has one proven bat (3B Jose Ramirez) in their starting lineup and two other players (SS Amed Rosario and DH Franmil Reyes) with some success in the majors. However, their offense needs help via free agency while currently looking like a weak power-hitting team.
