Carrie Muskat brought up a Lowell-for-Bradley swap to a Cub’s official. The official didn’t dismiss the idea, but Muskat herself doubts such a deal would happen.

The Yankees met with John Lackey’s agent today, but Ken Davidoff doesn’t consider them a “bona fide suitor.”

The Padres haven’t limited their Kevin Kouzmanoff talks to being just with the Giants, as the Twins reportedly offered pitcher Glenn Perkins for the third baseman. Bob Nightengale says the Twins want more in return for Kouzmanoff.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports the Nationals have signed Jerry Owens to a minor league deal that includes a spring training invitation.

Carrie Muskat says neither the Mariners nor the Angels are the surprise American League team that is close to dealing for Milton Bradley. There had been previous reports that the Mariners were involved in discussions of a deal that would send Carlos Silva to Chicago.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets that a deal for Milton Bradley between a “surprise AL team” and the Cubs “could happen tonight.” Joel Sherman says the Rangers aren’t the team.

Washington’s interest in Vicente Padilla is “all tire-kicking now,” according to Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post.

Joel Sherman has tweeted that the Yankees and Mets are among the teams meeting with representatives for Ben Sheets.

Kevin Gregg, Mike Gonzalez, and Mark Mulder are among those being considered by the Brewers, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy. McCalvy writes that the team was discussing Gregg and Gonzalez internally and had a meeting set up with Mulder’s representatives. Ken Rosenthal adds that the Royals have already met with Mulder.

Tony LaRusa said he and the Cardinals have “talked about” Miguel Tejada at third base, writes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Felix Hernandez is in talks with Seattle about an extension, according to SI’s Jon Heyman. The right-hander is looking for six years and $100 million according to the tweet.

“Not in [a] 3-way, not in any way,” is how David Lennon is describing Pat Burrell’s potential path to the Mets.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has the Cubs trying to rid themselves of Milton Bradley and have given the Levinson brothers, who represent the outfielder, permission to talk to other clubs in an effort to sort out any character issues. Sullivan says the Cubs are trying to get something done with the Rays. Bradley hit .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBI in 124 games with the Chicago in 2009.

Tom O’Connell, the agent for Carl Pavano, told Ken Rosenthal that his client is unsure of whether or not he’ll accept arbitration from the Twins. Pavano went 5-4 with a 4.64 ERA in 12 starts after being acquired from Cleveland. Tim Brown says O’Connell was pushing hard for a multi-year deal last Sunday night.

Conflicting reports as to whether Rafael Soriano will accept arbitration from the Braves. Buster Olney has a source that says the reliever could get around $8 million should he accept. Soriano had 27 saves and a 2.97 ERA for the Braves in ’09.

There had been reports of a potential Milton Bradley-for-Pat Burrell deal, but Joel Sherman says it’s not likely.