The season is still a few months away, but fantasy baseball is a year-long mistress that requires constant attention. Here, for the upcoming week, are the five storylines you should be following:

Third baseman Adrian Beltre had a breakout year for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 when he hit 48 home runs, scored 104 runs and a 121 RBI and hit at a .334 clip. Then he went and signed a five-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. Now it appears that Los Angeles really wants him back. According to a report in the L.A. Times, "the Dodgers had inquired about Beltre last summer at the trading deadline and asked the Mariners again about his availability at the winter meetings." The report reveals that the Dodgers were rebuffed both times inquiries were made. This does not, however, mean that a deal is completely out of the question. The Dodgers have a starting rotation that is deep enough to endure a starter being traded away. Perhaps if L.A. were willing to package one or even two of their starters with 25-year old third basemen Wilson Betemit, it may be too tempting for Seattle to resist. L.A. also has some talented young players at their disposal as well such as outfielder Matt Kemp and stud reliever Jonathan Broxton. The Dodgers clearly have flexible trading chips necessary to make a deal. It's worth noting that the Mariners did address their starting rotation issues during the off-season by adding Horacio Ramirez and Miguel Batista. But after starter Felix Hernandez, who is still growing into the role of franchise lynchpin, the team could use a starting No. 2 better than Jarrod Washburn. He won only eight games last year while posting a disheartening 4.67 ERA. We may not hear anything more about a Beltre move until the season begins if Seattle remains steadfast in their decision to keep him. But keep a set of ears open because Beltre would get a bump in fantasy value should he re-join the Dodgers. He'd add a power threat to an already-talented offensive squad.

The New York Mets, who balked at now-San Francisco Giants starter Barry Zito's long-term deal, are still looking at free agents to improve their shaky rotation. One player Mets general manager Omar Minaya has his eye on is a right-handed pitcher he is very familiar with. Newsday confirmed "Minaya's interest in [Tomo] Ohka to firm up the Mets' thin starting rotation." Ohka was a member of the Montreal Expos during Minaya's time there as GM from 2002-2004 and went 4-5 with a 4.82 ERA in 2006 while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers (although he missed two-and-a-half-months with a right rotator cuff injury). But the buzz doesn't stop there. A report in the New York Post stated that the Mets also have, "interest in righties Tony Armas and [Jeff] Weaver." Tony Armas, who pitched for the Washington Nationals last year, has a career 4.45 ERA and a 48-60 record with 151 games played. Armas also played for the Montreal Expos while Minaya was GM. Jeff Weaver is 86-101 in 257 starts to go along with a career 4.58 ERA. Weaver's play in the post-season in 2006, however, was remarkable as he beat the Mets in both of his starts against them in the National League Championship Series. Of all three players mentioned, Weaver is the most intriguing. Weaver was terrible during his time in New York with the Yankees and has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his career, but that 2006 postseason may have convinced buyers of a turnaround. It remains to be seen who the Mets have the most interest in, but fantasy players everywhere should monitor the situation as it develops. Any of these average arms would see a rise in their fantasy worth due to Mets' ability to win ball games.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves have had talks in recent weeks involving a trade featuring Pirates relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez and Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche. It seems as if the Pirates will have to get creative if they really want to deal for LaRoche as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, "the Pirates remain intensely interested in trading for Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche, but they continue to have no answer for the Braves' wish for a leadoff-hitting type in addition to closer Mike Gonzalez." It was also reported that while center fielder Chris Duffy fits the profile, the Pirates feel they would have no replacement for him. The two teams were previously toying with the idea of trading with a third team. Perhaps they will try that avenue again to facilitate a deal. Should a trade go down, Gonzalez would join an Atlanta bullpen that currently has right-hander Bob Wickman as its closer. Gonzalez, 28, was a perfect 24-for-24 last year in save opportunities while posting a 2.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and striking out 64 batters in 54 innings. The lefty pitcher could compete for closing duties and potentially take over the role for 2007, which would greatly impact his fantasy value. LaRoche, 27, batted .285 while having 32 home runs, 90 RBI and 89 runs. If he were to play first base for the Pirates this season, it could be a nice complement to franchise right-handed outfielder Jason Bay. Bay was walked 102 times last year and could get more slugging opportunities in tandem with the left-handed LaRoche. This should be interesting to watch, especially if a third team were to get involved.

The Boston Red Sox busy off-season continues as they look to fortify their bullpen. But the closer situation is as foggy as ever. The Boston Herald reported, "The club remains interested in Washington Nationals right-hander Chad Cordero." The Nationals are reportedly interested in several of Boston's young pitching prospects. Cordero, 24, went 7-4 with 29 saves and a 3.19 ERA in 2006 and seems a nice fit to take the reins as Boston's closer. Now here's where it gets tricky. This past week Joel Piniero signed a one-year deal with Boston and the Boston Herald reported that the former Seattle Mariner starter, "will most likely replace Jonathan Papelbon as closer." Confused? It seems odd that the Red Sox would give the high-pressure closer's role in Boston to a player who has had only 37 career relief appearances and is coming off a terrible year where he finished with a staggering 6.36 ERA. The Red Sox want 2006 closer Jonathan Papelbon to join the starting pitching staff and strengthen the rotation. While it seems as though Piniero, who began his pro career in relief, will join the Red Sox bullpen, pay close attention to see if anything materializes between Boston and the Nationals. Cordero is a much more attractive option at closer. The closer's job in Boston is likely to come with many save opportunities. So whoever ends up in the role should gain significant fantasy value. It may be worth monitoring Papelbon as well. If Boston isn't comfortable enough with their bullpen's ability to finish games, Papelbon may very well become the closer again.

The Rocket back in a New York Yankees uniform? With the trade of starting pitcher Randy Johnson back to the Arizona Diamondbacks all but a done deal, the Yankees may use the money saved to bring free agent starter Roger "Rocket" Clemens back to New York. The New York Post revealed that the Yankees would make a run at Clemens and that, "the Yanks reportedly hope to have him for a full year." Clemens returned to pitch for his hometown Houston Astros last year mid-season and it seemed likely that Clemens would take the same route this year should he decide to continue his Major League career. However, should the Rocket agree to come to New York and pitch a full season, his fantasy value should soar through the roof. Fantasy owners should expect the overall stats of Clemens to suffer at least a little. He would be going from pitching in the National League Central Division (baseball's worst division in 2006) to the American League East (arguably, baseball's toughest). Stat inflation aside, this is a guy who has a career 3.10 ERA, has fanned over 4,600 hitters and has won 348 games. Should he play for a full year in pinstripes, he would have to be considered an elite pitcher come draft day.