"Gary Sheffield didn't sound like someone about to take over as the Mets' predominant right fielder yesterday, nor did he look like it.

The 40-year-old slugger was the picture of exhaustion after taking 140 swings and then running down 30 fly balls in the outfield for the first time in longer than he could remember.

The Mets talked about Sheffield displacing Ryan Church in right field when they added Sheffield last weekend, but that possibility seemed remote before last night's 9-7 victory over the Reds.

Even Sheffield predicted his role with the Mets likely would be limited, something he claimed is not a problem.

"No, I'm not trying to [take Church's playing time away] at all," Sheffield said. "I made that very clear. Like I said before, I don't have to play baseball. Let's get that straight. I was content 100 percent. This is about making history [with 500 home runs] and just showing my family I still can do it. To show myself, too."

Sheffield, who is costing the Mets just $400,000 after his release last week by the Tigers, now says he would be fine with starting in right field once or twice a week and pinch-hitting the rest of the time.

"I'm not saying I'm going to be an everyday outfielder no more," he said. "I understand my role. . . . Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm going to try to do. If they ask me to come off the bench, they won't hear a peep out of me.""