KPBS Midday Edition

For San Diego Padres Fans, Next Year Is Here

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Pat Finn / Producer

Published January 11, 2021 at 10:24 AM PST

This story was published more than 3 years ago.

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) reacts after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.

For The San Diego Padres, Next Year Is Here

Any San Diego Padre fans who sighed "wait till next year" at the end of the 2021 season, probably had no idea 2021 would shape up to be a potential blockbuster.

San Diego Padres General Manager A. J. Preller has been on a tear during the off-season, acquiring pitchers Blake Snell from Tampa Bay and Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs, as well as shortstop Ha-Seong Kim from Korea.

Some sportswriters have conjectured that these and other acquisitions will add at least $30 million to the Padres payroll, which could wind up at more than $150 million a year.

With these players added to a roster already strengthened by shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr., and third baseman Manny Machado, San Diego sportswriter Jay Paris told KPBS Midday Edition that this year the Padres will be fun to watch and a formidable competitor for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League pennant.

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The Padres made it to the playoffs in 2020, the first time in 14 years.

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Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

What do you want to hear host Jade Hindmon talk about on Midday?

Pat Finn

Pat Finn previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. Finn began her career in broadcasting at KTLA and KCET in Los Angeles. In 1979 she became KPBS’ Public Information Director, then Director of Advertising and Promotion, Program Director, and Director of Broadcasting. She oversaw the station’s local and national productions, including the one-hour documentary Los Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar, and Child Protective Services, a one-hour look inside the San Diego County agency responsible for the welfare of at risk children. Both programs also aired on public television stations nationwide. Finn has earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

See stories by Pat Finn