By Dustin Hockensmith
Fantasy Sports 101 Baseball

March 18, 2008 - First pitch for the 2008 Major League Baseball season is just a week away, and a multitude of teams are still expressing desire to improve their rosters. The Cubs, Mets, Red Sox, Orioles, Astros and Phillies are among trade suitors who have common areas of interest, namely Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts and Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp.

The Baltimore Sun reported that the O's have talked with the Astros about a potential deal for utility infielder Mark Loretta. Loretta would seemingly act as Roberts' replacement, should the club find suitable deals for both second basemen.

In a related story, the Chicago Tribune reports that 22-year old right-hander Sean Gallagher will pitch in front of Baltimore scouts in his next spring start. The Orioles are said to be interested in Gallagher as part of a potential deal for Roberts, and the Cubs remain the most active team in trade discussions.

On the Cubs' official site, manager Lou Piniella called all the talk surrounding the organization's prospects "unsettling" as they work through camp.

The Phillies, too, are looking to make a deal, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. Just don't expect any major headlines to follow a blockbuster involving third baseman Wes Helms. New addition Pedro Feliz and utility man Greg Dobbs figure to see most of the playing time at third, leaving Helms as the odd man out and a piece the Phillies would like to move.

The Red Sox are listening to offers for Crisp, most recently from the Mets, who reportedly offered outfielder Angel Pagan. Boston would gladly retain Crisp, who has missed much of the spring with a groin injury, especially with youngster Jacoby Ellsbury struggling with a .225 spring batting average.

In other Cubs and Orioles news, both clubs appear to have narrowed down the lists for their respective closing jobs. Lefty George Sherrill, who came over from Seattle in the Erik Bedard deal, has all but locked up the O's ninth inning job, while Kerry Wood continues to impress and makes the most sense to finish games for Chicago.

The Red Sox have named Daisuke Matsuzaka their Opening Day starter when they travel to Japan for a two-game set with the Oakland A's. Originally scheduled to miss the trip because his wife was expecting a child, Matsuzaka will fill in for ace Josh Beckett, who will not make the trip because of a sore back.