Unexpected pitching market makes Roki Sasaki even more crucial for Padres

Now that the Winter Meetings have come to a close, the MLB offseason is in full force. A few big names are flying off the board, especially in the pitching market. The Padres are looking to add Japanese starter Roki Sasaki, but a backup plan is necessary regardless of their likelihood of signing him.

Quickly, the opportunity to lock down a Plan B option is dwindling, whether they really want these players or not.

Garrett Crochet, Max Fried, Luis Severino and Blake Snell are some of the the latest arms to find new homes, meaning that San Diego needs to go all in on signing the pitcher they wanted most all along. The Friars are running out of fallback options, so the pressure of finalizing a contract with Sasaki has grown even more.

Padres Rumors: Roki Sasaki chase even more crucial for San Diego

The Friars have been a bit quiet so far this winter, which isn't the worst news just yet. It's not time to hit the panic button, but their window to bolster an already strong rotation isn't as opened as it was a week ago. And we can't say the Luis Arráez and Dylan Cease trade rumors are making anybody feel good.

Just like two dozen other clubs, the Friars have a heightened interest in Sasaki, so they will need to find a way to stand out. The Padres are in win-now mode and have been considered one of the few World Series contenders each of the last several seasons, so maybe that makes San Diego more favorable for the right-hander.

If San Diego wants to keep pace with the Dodgers and Mets in the National League, landing Sasaki maintains their status as a contender. He has been linked to the Friars, but nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to superstar sweepstakes, especially since every team is expected to be in play. Padres fans will take anything they can get right now, so having somewhat of a link to Sasaki helps everyone breathe easier.

Sasaki was finally posted on Monday, which gives MLB teams a few weeks to get in his good graces before he signs during the new international signing period on January 15. Now that he can meet with any organization, it's put up or shut up time for AJ Preller and his staff, who have yet to make a move.

It doesn't seem far-fetched at the moment, but imagine a staff that has Dylan Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish, and Roki Sasaki. That would strike fear in any opponent, in any series, at any point in the season. It's fun to fantasize, but it could become reality if the Padres apply the correct pressure.