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.

Blue Jays re-sign Morrow for $20M  —  The Toronto Blue Jays locked up a key right-hand man Tuesday, re-signing starting pitcher Brandon Morrow to a three-year, $20-million US contract.  —  The pact includes a $10-million US club option for 2015.  —  Morrow, a 27-year-old right-hander …

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.

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.

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 …

Astros add ‘Baseball Prospectus’ alum Fast in drive for stats knowledge  —  The Astros added to their statistical strength in the front office, hiring Mike Fast, formerly of Baseball Prospectus to serve in the baseball operations department.  —  Fast, one of the foremost experts on pitch trajectory data …

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.

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.

Braun ‘upbeat’ while awaiting decision  —  NL MVP focused on positives despite potential suspension  —  MILWAUKEE — A Brewers spokesperson who was with Ryan Braun over the weekend described the outfielder as “upbeat” in the face of a possible suspension.  —  Braun spoke Saturday night …