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.

Starlin Castro reportedly wants to be traded by Marlins  —  Starlin Castro is the latest Miami Marlins player to want a new home, according to multiple reports.  —  Castro was acquired by Miami from the New York Yankees in the Giancarlo Stanton trade in December.

Ross Atkins: ‘Not up to Blue Jays’ whether or not they get Yelich  —  The Toronto Blue Jays have made a few moves this off-season, but they have yet to pull off the blockbuster the team's fan base seems to desire.  —  With a clear need in the outfield, the Blue Jays have been linked …

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.

Ex-Red Hoover signs minor-league deal with Brewers  —  Former Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher J.J. Hoover could end up back in the National League Central after signing a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an invitation to Major League camp, the team announced Wednesday.

Can Cardinals create a closer to solve the ninth?  —  ST. LOUIS  • Wherever the following question and research takes us - deep into the past, traipsing toward the ninth inning, and sweeping through the wilderness of free agents - the answer is going to be Addison Reed.  That seems obvious.

Brewers Sign J.J. Hoover  —  The Brewers have announced the signing of righty J.J. Hoover to a minor-league deal.  It includes an invitation to participate in MLB Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.  He can earn $1.1MM in the majors with another $1.65MM available through incentives, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter).

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 …

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.

Astros, Pirates Gaining Momentum Toward Gerrit Cole Swap  —  10:51am: A deal is “imminent,” Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets.  —  10:29am: Whitley is likely to be considered “untouchable” by the 'Stros, per Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter), though it seems …

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.

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.