Your Monday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The team announced two postgame concerts for the 2015 season. The Steve Miller Band is coming to Queens on June 27 after a Reds game, and Heart will play on July 25 after a Dodgers game. The Foo Fighters will be at Citi Field on July 16, but that's just a concert; no baseball game attached.
Rising Apple shares some offseason midpoint musings.
Mets 360 writes about what needs to happen for the Mets' current lineup to be worthy of the postseason.
This date in Mets history: The club traded away Carl Everett (1997), but signed both Ramon Castro (2004) and Endy Chavez (2005).
Around the National League East
The Padres and Phillies have discussed a trade that would send the newly acquired Wil Myers to Philadelphia in exchange for Cole Hamels. For now, though, it seems that San Diego is inclined to hold onto its trio of projected starting outfielders.
Should John Smoltz be considered a lock for the Hall of Fame?
Around the Majors
When the Padres traded for Justin Upton, it was presumed they were just getting the slugger for one year. However, Upton's agent says that his client is open to an extension with San Diego if it occurs before spring training.
Matt Wieters, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June, should be behind the plate for the Orioles on Opening Day.
Sports on Earth uses WAR to calculate the ten biggest offseason upgrades so far.
If the Yankees don't find a veteran free agent to play second base, the position could be manned in 2015 by someone with barely any major league experience.
George Steinbrenner's Silver Shield Foundation will pay for the education of recently killed police officer Rafael Ramos's children.