Angels center fielder Mike Trout recently helped bring some much-needed holiday cheer to a New Jersey family in desperate need of it.

The Blue Jays made a major move to bolster their bullpen on Friday evening, acquiring right-hander Drew Storen and cash from the Nationals for outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named.

Ken Griffey Jr. knew he was going to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday, but the hits kept coming when Junior got a call from Mariners president Kevin Mather the following day letting him know his number 24 is going to be retired at Safeco Field on Aug. 6.

Paul Goldschmidt is excited by the D-backs’ offseason moves, and the first baseman pointed out how the club’s new ace will be an asset to pitchers and hitters alike.

Denard Span revealed a significant aspect of his character Friday: He’s eager to please.

Summer’s coming.

Summer’s coming.

Will Carlos Gonzalez still be with the Rockies on Opening Day? Beat reporter Thomas Harding answers this question and more in the latest edition of the Inbox.

Zach McAllister and the Indians reached agreement on a 2016 contract for $1.3 million, thus avoiding salary arbitration for the 28-year-old right-hander.

The Reds brought back right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus on Friday after he was signed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league camp in Spring Training.

When it comes to the backlog of outfielders on the free-agent market, Royals general manager Dayton Moore described it best back at the Winter Meetings. “The truth of the matter,” Moore had said, “is the music is going to stop, and there’s not going to be enough chairs for some of these guys.”

J.D. Martinez has two years left before free agency, so if the Tigers are going to get a deal done to keep the slugging outfielder around long term, this is the offseason to do it.

A year ago, Carter Capps was just another anonymous reliever in a sea of anonymous relievers. Now, after topping Aroldis Chapman in perceived velocity and missing bats like few others ever have, Capps is a key part of Miami’s future.

Make your parents proud.

The Angels avoided arbitration with Hector Santiago on Friday afternoon, signing him to a $5 million contract for 2016.

The Padres, who have used 18 players at shortstop since 2009, could be close to finding a resolution to their most pressing offseason need, a source said.

Since their inception, the Arizona Diamondbacks have made countless trips to the state of Sonora to play exhibition games, build relationships and support baseball in Mexico. In recent years, those trips have become increasingly more regular, yet by the time the D-backs’ delegation boarded a flight back to Phoenix Friday morning, it was clear the most recent visit to Phoenix’s sister city was different.