It’s no secret that the San Francisco Giants are in the market for a starting pitcher this offseason after losing Blake Snell in free agency. The Giants are optimistic about their ace (Logan Webb), their veterans (Robbie Ray and Jordan Hicks) and their huge roster of exciting, intriguing, talented and almost completely unproven young players (Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, Landen Roupp, Mason Black ), Keaton Winn, Tristan Beck, Carson Whisenhunt, Carson Seymour, Carson Ragsdale, etc.). But another quality arm seems necessary to ensure the team doesn’t have to rely too heavily on the third basket (or second) and can withstand inevitable injuries.

But the selection of names is getting smaller almost every day. On Monday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Baltimore Orioles had agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old control pitcher who moved to the majors after a 12-year career in Japan.

The Giants probably don’t care. They’ve long had their eyes on a much bigger prize: former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, who pitcher Sugano will try to replace at Maryland. After showing limited interest in Snell and Max Fried, the Giants went all-in on Burnes, a player with California roots (he grew up in Bakersfield and played at St. Mary’s University) who reportedly had a desire to to sign with the Giants, and all the traits that Buster Posey made clear by signing Matt Chapman and Willy Adames to massive contracts.

At a Monday appearance on the Foul territory The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser gave some insight on the podcast about where the Giants stand with signing Burnes… a reality she gave a 50 percent chance of happening. Most importantly, Slusser said, “I’ve been told repeatedly that it’s in the hands of the owner,” adding that she believes the property is strongly supportive of Posey. Burnes’ contract is expected to be for at least eight years and $250 million, and Slusser certainly hinted that a deal will happen if the owner is willing to pay the contract price.

Hopefully they are and hopefully they are, because there aren’t as many alternatives as there used to be. There are only three starting players on the market who were worth at least 2.0 fWAR last year and didn’t receive a qualifying offer (an obstacle that won’t stop the Giants from signing Burnes, but probably for a weaker player): Jack Flaherty, Andrew Heaney and Trevor Williams. And with Sugano now off the table, another player expected to fit somewhere in that pitching lineup is no longer available.

The dream remains Burns or Rōki Sasaki (who can’t sign for another month) or, since these are dreams, both. There are still options if one of these dreams doesn’t come true, but those options are quickly dwindling.

How many days until opening day?

Exactly 100!