Vogelsong to join Team USA for 2013 Classic  —  SAN FRANCISCO — If America really is the land of opportunity, then Ryan Vogelsong is an ideal choice for Team USA.  —  The Giants right-hander has committed to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, joining a provisional roster …

Nationals To Sign Rafael Soriano  —  The Nationals agreed to sign free agent closer Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $28MM contract, Yahoo's Jeff Passan reports (Twitter links).  The deal includes a 2015 option valued at $14MM that will vest if Soriano finishes 120 games over the course of the next two seasons.

Putz extended; Hill next?  ; Upton Abbey; & other stuff  —  J.J. Putz has said he wants to finish his career with the Diamondbacks.  The deal he agreed to on Monday may or may not take him that far, but it will at least get him one year closer.  —  Putz, whose $6.5 million option for 2013 …

Francona book: Red Sox owners big on image  —  NEW YORK — Owners of the Boston Red Sox thought the team wasn't marketable after the 2010 season and needed to add “sexy players,” former general manager Theo Epstein says in a new book co-written by former manager Terry Francona.

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … Halfway through the 2012 season, things were finally looking up for the Pirates.  They went into the all-star break in first place in the National League Central and 11 games above .500, and it finally appeared that the longest streak …

With R.A. Dickey gone, Matt Harvey looks to step up role in NY Mets' starting pitching rotation  —  In addition to Harvey, Johan Santana (shoulder) and Dillon Gee (blood clot) are returning, and Jonathon Niese hopes to build on a career-best 13-9 campaign.  Zack Wheeler is seen as the eventual fifth starter.

ESPN's Star-Studded 2013 Sunday Night Baseball Schedule  —  Appearances by Triple Crown Winner & AL MVP Cabrera, NL MVP Posey, Kemp, Hamilton, Ortiz, Cano  —  Multiple Appearances by Defending World Champion Giants, AL Champion Tigers  —  Rivalry Games Highlighted by Angels/Rangers, Dodgers/Giants, Cardinals/Cubs, Yankees/Red Sox

Green agrees to Minor League deal  —  MIAMI — The Marlins have added a veteran candidate to compete for their utility role.  —  Nick Green, who was with the organization in 2012, has agreed to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.  The 34-year-old will have an excellent chance …

The Difference Pitching on the Edge Makes  —  Note: I found some errors in the data.  Data below has been corrected, as well as some conclusions — BP  —  Yesterday, Jeff Zimmerman examined how Tim Lincecum's performance has depended to some extent on his ability to pitch to the edges of the plate.

No World Classic for Matt Harrison  —  Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison said he has declined an invitation to participate in the World Baseball Classic.  —  Harrison, 27, was 18-11 with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts last season.  That included 213 1/3 innings, a career-high.