If Nats want Fielder, now may be perfect  —  The Prince Fielder sweepstakes finally are nearing conclusion, according to major league sources.  The Nationals remain a leading contender for the free-agent first baseman, if not the outright favorite.  —  Which is as it should be.

Emotional Posada retires after 17-year career  —  Longtime Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who spent his entire 17-year Major League career in pinstripes, announced his retirement during a Tuesday morning news conference at Yankee Stadium.  —  “Today's a very emotional day for me,” said Posada.

OF Cody Ross agrees to sign with Red Sox  —  SAN FRANCISCO—Cody Ross agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox, giving them an experienced hitter with postseason success on his resume to help replace J.D. Drew in right field.  —  Foxsports.com and ESPN.com reported the contract is for one year and $3 million.

Solomon: Astros name change?  (Forget) that  —  Jerseys from Astros' 50 years  —  It is only right that Jim Crane has decided to slash ticket prices for that technically-major-but-closer-to-minor- league baseball team now known as the Houston Astros.  —  Perhaps fans can get their money's worth in the 2012 season.

Dodgers receive more than 10 opening bids for the team  —  Those submitting bids include Magic Johnson, Mark Cuban, Peter O'Malley and Joe Torre.  Sources say that St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke has explored whether to bid.  —  As expected, those involved in groups bidding for the Dodgers …

Agent: Shortstop Vizquel agrees with Blue Jays  —  Free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, his agent Adam Katz confirmed to ESPN.com.  —  Vizquel is joining the Blue Jays on a minor league contract with an invitation …

Reinsdorf gave Guillen blessing to leave Sox early for Marlins  —  In the latest of a seemingly endless saga regarding manager Ozzie Guillen's departure from the Chicago White Sox to the Miami Marlins, Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf issued a statement saying he allowed Guillen …

If everything goes right...  According to Ted Berg's math, based on Wins Above Replacement, if everything goes right for their pitching staff, the Mets are capable of winning 94 games.  —  In other words, “The Mets do probably have the talent to get to the playoffs if absolutely everything goes right,” he explains.

2012 Baseball Farm System Rankings  —  I have never done formal farm system rankings before.  People have asked me to do it constantly over the years, but I guess I read too much post-modern stuff in college and the idea of saying “this farm system is better than that farm system” never appealed to me outside of generalities.

Orioles Sign Wilson Betemit  —  The Orioles announced that they have signed Wilson Betemit to a two-year, Major League contract that includes a vesting option for 2014.  Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com adds that Betemit will be Baltimore's primary DH and that the option is based on plate appearances (Twitter links).

Willie Harris signed  —  The Reds agreed to terms with utility player Willie Harris on a minor league contract, two sources confirmed to MLB.com on Monday.  —  Harris, who will be invited to camp as a non-roster player, can earn an $800,000 base salary if he makes the club and his overall salary can reach $1 million with incentives.

Dan Patrick: Braun ‘may be innocent’  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Citing information from “somebody involved in the process,” sports commentator Dan Patrick said on his radio show Monday morning that “Ryan Braun may be an innocent man” and “may be exonerated.”