*Mets acquire OF Rich Becker from Twins for OF Alex Ochoa*

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The New York Mets today gave up on Alex Ochoa, sending the
25-year-old to the Minnesota Twins for Rich Becker in an
exchange of outfielders. 

The Twins also announced today they have designated left-hander
Rich Robertson for assignment or release. 

Ochoa was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in the deal that
sent Bobby Bonilla away from the Mets on July 28th, 1995.  But
Ochoa did not live up to his star billing.  He hit .244 with
three homers and 22 RBI in 238 at-bats over 113 games last
season. 

Known for a strong arm, Ochoa also had his troubles with range
in the field, though he made only a pair of errors in 84
appearances in right field last season.  In parts of three
major-league seasons with the Mets, Ochoa hit .273 with seven
homers and 55 RBI. 

Becker is an excellent fielder, but the former switch-hitter has
been plagued throughout his career by an inability to hit
left-handed pitching.  Now a full-time left-handed hitter,
Becker has a career batting average of .267 with 25 homers and
157 RBI in 417 games over parts of five major-league seasons,
all with Minnesota. 

Becker, who is also 25, appeared in 132 games last season,
playing mostly center field, but also had appearances in right
and left.  He hit .264 with 10 homers and 45 RBI in 443 at-bats
last season, stealing 17 bases in 22 attempts. 

But his problems against left-handers continued.  He batted just
.156 with no homers in 64 at-bats against southpaws, while
hitting .282 with all 10 of his homers and 20 of his 22 doubles
against right-handers.  He made five errors. 

In Minnesota, the right-handed hitting Ochoa could platoon in
right field with Matt Lawton.  The Twins signed free agent Otis
Nixon on Thursday to be their center fielder and have 1996
American League Rookie of the Year Marty Cordova in left. 

The Mets have Bernard Gilkey in left and Brian McRae in center,
so Becker figures to see time in right with Carl Everett or
Butch Huskey.  He could also spell McRae, who hit just .230
against right-handers last season. 

the 29-year-old Robertson pitched in 31 games, 26 starts, for
the Twins last season and was 8-12 with a 5.69 ERA.  In 147
innings, he allowed 169 hits and walked 70, giving up 19 homers.
In 1996, Robertson tied for the AL lead with three shutouts and
led the circuit with 116 walks allowed.  For his career,
Robertson is 17-30 with a 5.25 ERA in 109 games, 61 starts.