Dickey trade is gift that ... KEEPS ON GIVING
Becerra is next in line to make impact — after Noah, d’Arnaud
PORT ST. LUCIE — The R.A. Dickey trade could be the gift that keeps on giving for the Mets.
If it isn’t enough the Dec. 17, 2012, deal with the Blue Jays netted a Cy Young-caliber pitcher and starting catcher who played a key role in the Mets’ NL pennant run two years ago, there is Wuilmer Becerra.
The Venezuelan outfielder is just 22 years old, but facing an important season in trying to show club officials he can be considered part of the organization’s future.
Noah Syndergaard was the biggest prize in the Dickey deal, and Travis d’Arnaud is attempting to rebound from a sluggish season, but will enter 2017 as the Mets’ starting catcher, nonetheless. The Mets also sent catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas to the Blue Jays in the blockbuster trade and acquired John Buck and Becerra.
A right-handed hitter, Becerra had a .312/.341/.393 slash line with one homer and 34 RBIs in 65 games last season for Single-A St. Lucie — where he was named a midseason All-Star in the Florida State League — before undergoing surgery in July to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder.
Becerra, who is known for his strong arm in right f ield, isn’t expected to begin throwing for at least another month.
“He’s interesting,” a major league talent evaluator said. “He’s a good player, but what he is, I can’t tell you yet. He’s big, strong, good throwing arm, not much speed.”
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Becerra never has hit more than nine homers in a season, and team officials would like to see him provide more power if he is going to remain in right field.
“I have power, but sometimes I don’t use it,” Becerra said. “Sometimes I try to hit to the opposite field every time, but I have worked in the cage with the hitting coach, looking for the three points — inside, outside and the middle. If the pitch is in the middle, hit it hard to center field — that is what I am working on right now.”
If Becerra’s throwing arm is compromised since the surgery, the Mets could consider shifting him to left field at either St. Lucie or Double-A Binghamton.
“I have played right field for five years, so when I play other positions I feel weird, but I can play whatever, any position,” Becerra said. “I can make adjustments.”
The Mets would like to see what Becerra — who played just 11 games in 2012 in the Blue Jays system after getting hit in the face by a pitch and sustaining a broken jaw — is capable of accomplishing over a full season.
“His development is probably a little behind [because of injuries], but he has shown a lot of promise,” general manager Sandy Alderson said. “If he shows more power, he’s going to be an outstanding player. Right now he is still very young.”
Alderson said the fact Becerra arrived in such a high-profile trade doesn’t change the manner in which he is viewed by the Mets.
“He’s earned all the attention he’s gotten in the last couple of years,” Alderson said.
Becerra comes from a baseball family. His father, Wilmer, played for three years in the Twins orga-a nization and a cousin, Brandon n Benavente, spent last season withh the Astros’ rookie league team.
Becerra, who was added to the Mets’ 40-man roster last offseason and invited to spring training, said he has gotten to know Syndergaard and d’Arnaud, to whom he will remain linked during his career.
“We talk about it and say, ‘It was a good trade for the Mets,’” Becerra said. “I think it was a great trade for me. I feel good here.”