While the Cubs’ hopes of sending Milton Bradley to Toronto have been noted previously, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal today claims such a move, however unlikely, would involve Luis Castillo going to Wrigley and underachieving 1B Lyle Overbay becoming a member of the New York Mets.

The three-team possibility, according to one source, has “some legs, but not much.” The Jays are opposed to the deal, one source says ” perhaps because new GM Alex Anthopolous does not want a trade for Bradley to be his first major move.

Still, the mere discussion of Bradley, Castillo and Overbay between the clubs offers insight into each team’s thinking.

Castillo, who has two years left on his contract at $6 million per season, would add speed and on-base skills to the top of the Cubs’ lineup, but is not an ideal fit. The Cubs eventually want to move Ryan Theriot to second to make room for top shortstop prospect Starlin Castro.

The Mets are in the same position they were a year ago ” eager to trade Castillo and sign free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. The additions of both Hudson and Overbay would revamp the right side of their infield, and Overbay’s line-drive stroke would play well at spacious Citi Field.

MLB Trade Rumors’ Howard Megdal notes, “Overbay has also mashed righties for his entire career – .847 OPS career, .905 in 2009 – and could be paired with Daniel Murphy or Nick Evans for a high-reward platoon.”   Presumably, Rosenthal looks at Overbay’s 35 doubles in 2009 and sees a good fit at the ballpark where the entire team seems to have warning track power (and just that much).  I see a 32 year old  slowpoke who will earn $8 million as a part time player.

Which is a not very nice way of saying, that amount of money might we worth it to deny Daniel Murphy an additional 80 games playing first base.