The Cleveland Indians navigated their way through the pandemic-shortened 2020 season to yet another playoff appearance, though they got swept by the Yankees in the first round. But the team looks a lot different in 2021, and will look even more different going forward with the search for a new name and mascot.

Paul Dolan is the CEO and part-owner of the Cleveland Indians, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show ahead of Thursday’s opening game in Detroit. First, Dolan spoke about the changes the organization has had to make in order to house fans at Progressive Field in 2021. And on that topic, how the pandemic has affected them personally and in their pocketbooks.

The trade of Francisco Lindor bothered fans, and as much as the Indians would have wanted to keep him around, their hands were tied.

"It was a move we absolutely had to make,” says Dolan.

"It’s the unfortunate reality,” when talking about a sport like baseball without a salary cap. However, Dolan says, "It doesn’t prohibit us from competing.”

The roster is not the only thing on the minds of the organization. A lot of aspects are going into the future name of Cleveland’s baseball team, but when will an announcement be made? Dolan says there is not exactly a hard deadline to make the change, but one will have to be made at some point in the coming months.

Any news on the future name of the team?

"We’re making progress,” says Dolan. “But we don’t have a green light on a particular name yet."

This conversation with Paul Dolan is sponsored by Red Wing Shoes.