With ownership turmoil and no offseason additions, the Padres must figure out how to contend without the Japanese phenom they coveted.

Sasaki named them one of his three finalists, joined by the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. If nothing else, such recognition plants a larger Padres flag in Japan, where Sasaki commands national attention. Coming Japanese stars won’t say “who?” when Padres team-builder A.J. Preller and scouts come calling.

Roki Sasaki may be the most sought baseball pitcher this offseason. The San Diego Padres are a strong contender for his services.