The Los Angeles Angels' busy offseason continued Tuesday, as the club agreed to a one-year deal with veteran catcher Rene Rivera, the team announced.
Financial terms were not disclosed. To clear a spot for Rivera on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated left-hander Nate Smith for assignment.
With the Angels, Rivera will likely serve as a backup to Martin Maldonado, who managed 1.1 WAR and earned a Gold Glove award in 2017 but hit just .221/.276/.368 in a career-high 138 games. Last year, Rivera, who turns 35 in July, put up 1.0 WAR in 74 games split between the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, hitting .252/.305/.431 with 10 homers.
Over parts of nine seasons in the majors, Rivera owns a .620 OPS (92 OPS+) in 473 games with the Cubs, Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners.
In addition to Rivera, who earned $1.75 million last year, the revamped Angels have also acquired Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, second baseman Ian Kinsler, shortstop Zack Cozart, and reliever Jim Johnson this offseason.
