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 …

Terry Francona: Sox image-conscious  —  NEW YORK — Theo Epstein traded for Adrian Gonzalez and signed Carl Crawford following pressure from Boston Red Sox owners to build a “sexy team,” according to a book co-authored by former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

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

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.

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 …

Giants Could Re-Sign Lincecum  —  Tim Lincecum struggled often in 2012, but the Giants haven't given up on him long-term, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links).  In fact, the prospect of re-signing Lincecum next offseason, when he's eligible for free agency for the first time …

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.