Angels sign backup catcher Rene Rivera  —  The Angels signed Rene Rivera to a one-year, $2.8-million contract on Monday, adding a defensively savvy veteran to back up Martin Maldonado as catcher.  —  Rivera, 36, has played nine seasons in the major leagues, never getting 300 at-bats in a season.

Titans' All-Pro safety Kevin Byard aims to make Tom Brady ‘look like Blake Bortles’  —  Blake Bortles continues to serve as a punching bag in the Titans' locker room as Tennessee trains to take on Goliath.  —  Titans All-Pro safety Kevin Byard said neither he nor his teammates are intimidated …

Source: Mets still interested in signing Jay Bruce, Addison Reed  —  The Mets haven't made a big splash in the offseason, but that could change as the team remains interested in free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce and free-agent reliever Addison Reed, and is still speaking with the Pirates …

Detroit Tigers agree to minor league deals with Brayan Pena, 5 others  —  The Tigers announced on Tuesday they have agreed to terms with six players on minor league contracts for the upcoming season.  —  Of the six, catcher Brayan Peña and infielder Pete Kozma were invited to Major League Spring Training camp.

Slow MLB offseason?  Blame Mike Trout!  —  Earlier this week, David Schoenfield considered 10 possible explanations for baseball's extremely slow offseason.  Tucked into one of the 10 was a reminder that Mike Trout would have been a free agent this winter, except he signed a six-year, $144.5 million extension back in March 2014.

Former MLB pitcher, Astros broadcaster Sparks to speak at Winter Banquet  —  Astros broadcaster Steve Sparks, who pitched parts of nine Major League seasons, will speak at the 14th South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center on Jan. 18.

Marcell Dareus says Jaguars have helped to change his life  —  Since his mid-season arrival, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has overwhelmed blockers in front of him to become a dominant run stopper for the Jaguars.  —  Yet, Dareus still views himself an outsider on the team despite having already played in nine games.

Report: Twins' great Justin Morneau returning as special assistant  —  Justin Morneau, who sat out the 2017 Major League Baseball season after partaking in the World Baseball Classic for Canada, will return to the Minnesota Twins as a special assistant to the team's front office, according to a report by the Canadian Baseball Network.

As Mychal Givens sees role grow for Orioles, his stature off field makes similar strides  —  Checking back to where the Orioles' Mychal Givens has been at each of the past few winter minicamps is a useful way to track where the rising star reliever has been at various stages in his baseball career, and this January is no different.

Why potential investor says Jeter plan is badly flawed and will fail  —  Fourth in a five-part series on the new Marlins owners and their plans.  —  New Marlins CEO Derek Jeter slashed payroll largely because investors were assured they would not be asked to cover losses.

Jets' Rashard Robinson arrested for edible marijuana possession  —  UPDATE: A spokesman for Hanover Township police told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday that Rashard Robinson no-showed for his initial court date, on Monday.  His next court date is Jan. 29.  If he doesn't show up to that, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.