"Despite a report on the team's official Web site today playing down the Nationals' chances at signing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder, a person familiar with the situation said the Nationals are "patiently and aggressively" pursuing Fielder — a pursuit that included a new twist today.

The Nationals' push for Fielder continued when Nationals principal owners Ted and Mark Lerner met with Scott Boras, Fielder's high-profile agent, at the owners' meetings in Arizona this evening, the person said. The details of the conversation are not known, but the sides previously discussed Fielder this offseason in Washington. In the past, the Lerners have been part of negotiations for lucrative contracts with Boras for Jayson Werth, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. "