Well, the worst postseason run in Cleveland Indians history concluded like it should have.

The Tribe fell to the Houston Astros, 11-3, on Monday after leading 2-1 going into the seventh inning. For the first time since the 1954 World Series, the Indians were swept in a playoff round. The Wild Card loss in 2013 doesn’t count because it was only one game, not a series.

With a few changes here and there, this team was one run away from winning it all two seasons ago. What the heck happened?

Baseball is an unfair game with no salary caps, but things must change. This is the same franchise that blew a 3-1 World Series lead, blew a 2-0 ALDS lead over the Yankees last year and has lost six-straight postseason games.

Indians fans can’t expect to have this team go out there and win it all, especially with the Astros running wild and the Red Sox and Yankees dominating. Let’s tweak the Indians.

(Before we do, let’s take a moment of silence for the Chief Wahoo retiring. Whatever your views are, it’s at least somewhat sad for Indians fans to see it go. We grew up with it. I don’t disagree that it’s now gone, but it was a big part of our childhood.)

BULLPEN WOES

Everything in baseball should start with pitching, and the Indians just didn’t have it after the starters departed. Look at Game 3 of the ALDS: A one-run lead in the seventh and then losing by eight. During the regular season, how many eighth-inning and ninth-inning leads did they blow?

Letting Andrew Miller and Cody Allen walk is a good start. Allen was horrific all year. Miller, it wasn’t all his fault because he was hurt for half the time, maybe more. But, why spend at least $10 million on a middle reliever who constantly gets hurt? If he’s willing to get paid less to prove himself, then I would consider bringing him back, but for no more than $6 million.

Cleveland has to keep Brad Hand and Adam Cimber because it traded its top prospect (Francisco Mejia) to San Diego for them. Hand is the closer, no doubt, and Cimber can be a solid sixth- or seventh-inning guy.

Maybe the Indians can catch a break and Danny Salazar will return. If that happens, he can’t start any more. See if he has anything left to come out of the bullpen. Personally, I don’t see Salazar returning any time soon.

Dan Otero, see ya later. Oliver Perez, I’m guessing he’ll retire. Tyler Olson, only keep him if Miller is not coming back. Everybody else, get out of town. Time to look to the minor leagues for new arms, and sign some veterans.

LINEUP CARDS

Jose Ramirez just can’t hit in the playoffs, and now it’s official. He had, what, one hit last year and none this year? That doesn’t cut it. More than 100 RBIs and nearly 40 home runs during the regular season doesn’t matter this time of year. You know why players from the 1990s are still remembered, like Sandy Alomar, Albert Belle, Jim Thome, etc.? Because they have playoff moments. Manny Ramirez was awesome, but he struggled numerous times on the biggest stage. He had moments, but look at his stats from the 1999 ALDS.

Francisco Lindor is the lone Cleveland player that did anything significant in the ALDS, at least offensively. Out of the five totals runs scored, two of them were solo home runs from Lindor. He needs to bat third. He must bat with runners on base. He needs a Michael Brantley or even a Jose Ramirez getting on base for him to drive in.

If the Indians re-sign Brantley (and they must), bat him first or second, put Jose Ramirez first or second, and then Lindor is third. Lindor is not a leadoff hitter because he’s too special for that, just like Grady Sizemore in the mid 2000s.

Now, for the cleanup hitter. Edwin Encarnacion is showing his age. Yonder Alonso can’t fill that void. That only leaves one man.

BRING BACK

THE MVP

If the price is right, the Indians should consider bringing back Josh Donaldson. The former MVP won’t get paid as much because he missed more than three months of action this year. He would be a steal, even if it’s a one-year contract to prove himself.

Donaldson’s defense was back for the playoffs, but not his offense. It’s not all his fault. Hitters need time to recover from an injury. Ask Brantley after his return last year and had no timing at the dish.

Who knows exactly what goes on in the locker room. Though, it seems like Donaldson enjoys playing in Cleveland. Plus, third base would be his. Maybe Jose Ramirez’s struggles are because he switches to second base with a few weeks left before October baseball.

SNIP KIP

Speaking of changing positions before the season ends, trade Jason Kipnis immediately. He did not help this club. I don’t care that he finished stronger than he started and had 75 RBIs. He hurt the Indians. I’d rather take my chances with Erik Gonzalez or Greg Allen.

Kipnis began the year batting second and ended batting ninth. He can barely hit left-handers (watch his swings on sliders below the knees). One goes from batting in the top of the lineup to the last should be all one needs to know how he’s doing.

I’ve always enjoyed watching Kipnis play, but it’s time for a change. Now, if the Indians can’t sign Donaldson, then I can see why Kipnis would stay. I want him traded no matter what, but I wouldn’t be as upset if Donaldson walks.

STARTING OFF

The Indians don’t have much to worry regarding their starting rotation. Despite Corey Kluber’s playoff struggles as of late, he’s still the ace. Carlos Carrasco is a great No. 2 or 3, while Trevor Bauer will be back. Mike Clevinger proved on Monday that he’s here to stay, and Shane Bieber showed positive signs of being in the rotation. Adam Plutko is an insurance policy in case somebody gets hurt. Shoot, might as well put him in the bullpen.

The biggest concern about the starters is somebody will always get hurt come playoff time. Two years ago, it was Carrasco and Salazar. Last year, probably Kluber. This year, Bauer (and possibly Kluber). If somebody would get hurt again, maybe do what the Tampa Bay Rays do and only pitch relievers once every five games. Maybe that’ll light a fire in them.

THE YANDY MAN CAN

When will it be time to let Yandy Diaz play every day? It better be next year.

If Donaldson returns, then it will be harder to find room for him. If not, he needs to be the starting third baseman. If Kipnis returns, stop messing around with him and keep him in center field. He’s not that bad out there. And, he played outfield in college. If someone like Brantley doesn’t return, try Diaz out in left field.

Diaz got the start on Monday and got a hit in three at-bats. That’s one more hit than Jose Ramirez, mind you. Diaz is destined for greatness. There has to be a reason why Mejia was traded and not him.

OUTFIELD BY

COMMITTEE

I’ve been waiting to say this for the last five years, goodbye Lonnie Chisenhall! Never liked him, never will. He got hurt this year and then faded away. No point of signing him with all the outfielders the Indians have.

Returning will be Bradley Zimmer and Tyler Naquin. Those are the starting center and right fielders, respectively. Greg Allen is the utility and will bat against southpaws. Maybe Diaz will be the same way. Maybe Leonys Martin will return as well? You know, the outfielder Cleveland got from the Tigers and then missed the rest of the year due to an illness.

QUESTIONING

FRANCONA

It’s really, really hard to question manager Terry Francona after all that he’s done. Four playoff appearances, a World Series trip and three consecutive AL Central titles is on his resume. That doesn’t mean he has his bad moments, though.

First of all, with the worst bullpen out of all playoff teams, why were starters leaving after only five innings? Who cares what the pitch count was. Carrasco, despite allowing eight or nine baserunners on Saturday, still didn’t allow a run. He was pulled in the sixth inning, and Miller allowed two runs. They were charged to Carrasco, but Miller allowed the hit.

Clevinger had nine strikeouts through five on Monday and got out of a bases loaded jam in the third. Yet, he was pulled with that one-run lead. Kluber had to go on Friday. Three home runs, though all solo, cannot happen.

The bullpen game only works if the relievers throw strikes and get people out. That almost never happened.

Offensively, why did Brandon Guyer play on Monday? Yes, he made a great play in right field, but he can’t hit. Unless he’s getting hit by a pitch, he rarely gets on. If Francona wasn’t going to play Melky Cabrera, then why not play Greg Allen?

IN THE END

All in all, Indians fans knew from the very beginning that 2018 may be a wash. Everybody knew the AL Central was the weakest division in MLB. The Tribe not having good competition all year may have hurt, but that’s no excuse.

I thought this could be a special year with Thome going into the Hall of Fame and having his number retired. It was special, and it was even better going to Cooperstown to watch it happen.

We are witnessing a possible future Hall of Famer in Lindor if he keeps this rate up. He is truly something special and, with the struggles of Jose Ramirez, is the best player on the roster. Keep him happy so that he wants to stay in Cleveland.

The window is slowly closing on the Indians. But, as long as the division stays weak, they will always have a playoff spot waiting. It’s just a matter of if they can keep up with the Astros, Red Sox and Yankees. Mark my word, one of them will win the World Series this year. It will not be someone from the National League.

On a final note, it’s not enough just making the playoffs anymore. This year was not heartbreaking. It was flat out disappointing. I’ll take heartbreaking over disappointing any time.