NL NOTEBOOK: METS INTERESTED IN D-BACKS' GREEN.

Byline: TONY JACKSON  Staff Writer

Less than two years after the Dodgers traded Shawn Green to Arizona following a protracted, complicated negotiation that lasted almost a month and included a new contract, Green might be on the move again. There are numerous indications the veteran right fielder, who presumably has cleared waivers, could be headed to the New York Mets.

So far, Green hasn't been asked by the Diamondbacks to waive his no- trade clause. But he was out of the starting lineup on consecutive days for the first time this season Monday and Tuesday and played first base Wednesday, a strong indication the club no longer needs him with promising rookie Carlos Quentin around to play right field.

Although the Mets are believed to be looking for a corner outfielder, manager Willie Randolph said last week that, ``There is no urgency right now. But it might be a different story three weeks from now.''

Three weeks from now would be well into September, making any acquisition ineligible for the postseason. When asked last week about the possibility of a trade to the Mets, Green seemed intrigued by the thought of going to a playoff contender. But it's questionable whether he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to a team merely to help them get to the playoffs if he isn't going to be able to actually play in the postseason.

Another factor getting in the way of a possible deal is Green's contract, which guarantees him $9.5 million in 2007 and includes at least a $2 million option buyout for 2008. The Mets have deep pockets, but that's a lot of money for a team that is a long way from being desperate to fill a hole.

For now, Green's playing time will continue to be impacted by Quentin's emergence.

Closed out: Houston's Brad Lidge appears to have lost his one-man hold on the closer role for at least the rest of the season, with manager Phil Garner saying last week the role will be filled by a committee of Dan Wheeler, Chad Qualls, Trever Miller and sometimes Lidge.

Lidge, once one of the game's most reliable closers, has five blown saves this season, including one Tuesday in which he gave up a score-tying, ninth-inning homer to Chicago's Matt Murton. The Cubs went on to win that one, but not before both bullpens were taxed in an 18-inning marathon.

Following that game, Lidge had given up 15 runs over his past 20 appearances. Meanwhile, the Astros are desperately trying to claw back into contention in the National League Central.

Broken home: As the Dodgers prepare to open a monumental series at SanDiego on Monday night, they can take some comfort in this: Among all major-league teams with winning records overall, the Padres have the worst record at home, a big reason the Dodgers have overtaken them atop the NL West.

By the middle of last week, the Padres were hitting just .247 at Petco Park and scoring 3.9 runs a game. On the road, they were hitting .279 and scoring 5.1 runs a game.

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