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Sources: Hamels-Myers talk premature

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The Padres are believed to have at least some interest in Phillies ace Cole Hamels, a left-hander and native San Diegan who could put their rotation over the top.

But for now, it doesn’t appear that General Manager A.J. Preller will be flipping another just-acquired player in his ongoing roster reconstruction.

According to a Philadelphia Daily News report, the Padres have had discussions about Hamels and could use Myers as trade bait.

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Indications from sources within the organization, however, are that the Padres intend on playing all three of their newest outfielders, including Myers. The early plan is for the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year to start in center field, flanked by fellow power-hitting right-handers Justin Upton and Matt Kemp.

Of course, considering Preller’s recent level of activity and the hour-to-hour nature of the offseason, the situation could always change. But the Padres view Myers as a long-term piece, which is why they gave up top prospects Joe Ross and Trea Turner in Thursday’s three-team trade with the Rays and the Nationals.

Though this was not on the scale of a hypothetical Myers-for-Hamels swap, Preller did pull a similar move very recently. Friday, he traded catcher Ryan Hanigan, who’d been acquired alongside Myers, for third baseman Will Middlebrooks. In short, the Padres GM dealt from a surplus of his own creation (catching) to help address another need (third base).

With their latest additions, the Padres have a preponderance of outfielders, as Seth Smith, Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin and Will Venable all remain under contract. Quentin, who would be best off as a designated hitter, may be the first to go, though the Padres would have to eat much of his remaining salary.

Myers, meanwhile, brings a rare blend of cost control and offensive upside. He has made 144 of his 150 big-league starts in right field, and the fit in center is not ideal. Still, he’s a better option there than either Kemp or Upton.

A former catcher, Myers also has limited experience at first base.

At Friday’s introductory press conference for Kemp, Padres manager Bud Black said he envisioned the one-time MVP contender starting in right field.

“Upton, I think, is maybe best in left (field),” Black said. “We’re going to continue to look at Wil Myers in center field as a possibility. These are things that we’ll talk about as the winter continues and we get into spring.”

Myers, Upton and new catcher Derek Norris are expected to be officially introduced after Jan. 1.

For what it’s worth, the Padres already have designated jersey No. 4 for Myers and, on Sunday, Myers posted a mock-up on Instagram with the following message: “Excited to wear this jersey! #4 #Padres”

Hamels, 30, has four years and $96 million remaining on his contract. The Padres had an opening-day payroll record of roughly $90 million last season. With moves still to come, their latest additions already have them headed toward another payroll record.

Hamels does not have the Padres on his no-trade list.

The rebuilding Phillies will be seeking at least one top prospect in any deal involving Hamels. In the last two weeks, Preller has dealt as many as 10 of the Padres’ best minor leaguers, though a highly regarded trio -- Matt Wisler, Austin Hedges and Hunter Renfroe -- is still intact.

“To do it without touching Wisler, Hedges and Renfroe,” Padres president and CEO Mike Dee said Friday, “that’s what I think is the most important part of this. We still preserved the core parts of the present and the future.”

Upton’s agent on extension

Larry Reynolds, Upton’s agent, went on MLB Network Radio on Sunday to discuss his client’s landing in San Diego. Upton, 27, will make $14.5 million in his final year before free agency.

Asked if Upton would consider signing an extension with the Padres, Reynolds indicated they would be open to the possibility but also outlined a timeline of sorts.

“We never say no to anything,” Reynolds said. “I think we’ll take it as it comes. One thing we won’t get into is, a lot of players get into the season and have contract negotiations going back and forth. We won’t do that. Matter of fact, we probably won’t even get into spring training doing that. … If anything were to happen, we would want to do that before he packs up to go to spring training.”

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