The Toronto Blue Jays and general manager Alex Anthopoulos have stated that along with a starting catcher their needs this offseason include both an outfielder and a right handed power hitter.

The Jays have the immoveable object Vernon Wells in centre field and plan on using Adam Lind as a combo outfielder/designated hitter. The third outfield spot is Travis Snider’s job to lose in spring training but the Jays would like someone on the squad just in case Snider replicates his poor start to last season.

The Jays used Jose Bautista in the outfield often towards the end of the season but he may not be the right answer for the Jays.

Upon pondering what the Jays could do to address these needs I thought of one name that has had trade talks circulating, that being the name of Josh Willingham of the Washington Nationals.

Willingham's power stroke could be just what the Jays need.

The former catcher turned outfielder would be a great fit for the Jays from the right side, could spell the likes of Lind and Snider in the outfield as well as hit in the designated hitter’s spot from time to time.

Willingham has much more pop (24HR, 61RBI in 133 games) than what the Jays had in Kevin Millar (7HR, 29RBI in 78 games) last season and also hits for a better average (Willingham hit .260 as opposed to Millar’s average of .223).

One year of Willingham would cost the Jays $2.95 million according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts (http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com) plus whatever the Nationals asked in return for him, which I assume would be one or two mediocre prospects.

The Nationals have a serious influx of outfielders and they need to get rid of somebody.

That somebody will not be Nyjer Morgan who was a saving grace for the struggling Nationals last season out of the lead off spot which leaves the Nationals with Willingham, Morgan, Willie Harris, Elijah Dukes, Roger Bernadina & Justin Maxwell on their current 40 man roster.

The Atlanta Braves have been in talks with the Nationals about the availability of Willingham.

The Braves are ready to win next season and have shown they are serious in following through with those plans as they have already signed veteran closer Billy Wagner and veteran Japanese import Takashi Saito to fortify the backend of their bullpen.

The Braves may end up with Willingham but the Jays might want to take a peak that way and see if they can possible snatch him away in the process.

Having former Nationals front office representative Dana Brown as Alex Anthopoulos’ new assistant could help in negotiations with the Nationals.

Speaking of Brown’s link to the Nationals, Bill Ladson of MLB.com wrote a piece today about the Nationals needs come this Monday when the annual Winter Meetings begin.

The piece can be read here:

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091202&content_id=7745666&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

In the piece Ladson suggest that the Jays could be interested in Nationals outfielder Justin Maxwell as Dana Brown has always been a big Maxwell supporter throughout his time with the organization.

Maxwell is compared by scouts to Chris Young of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Could the Jays acquire Justin Maxwell and find a hidden gem?

A pure athlete with a ton of speed and power potential that needs to work on plate discipline as he hits for a low average.

Maxwell has not seen the necessary playing time in Washington only appearing in 55 games over the last two seasons in which he has hit for an average of .252 with 6HR & 14RBI with 6 stolen bases.

Maxwell is still young at 26 years of age and is currently on a cheap $400,000 one year deal.

Could Maxwell be a diamond in a rough that the Jays could snag away from the Nationals?

Maybe the Jays could acquire both Willingham and Maxwell although that is not very likely.

Team/Player Photos: Baltimore Orioles v Toronto Blue Jays on Jul 28, 2010

Unlike Willingham, who is sure to provide an impact immediately upon an arrival to Toronto, Maxwell would be more of a test project if you will and that could go one of two ways, but he could be worth the small risk.

If I were the Jays Alex Anthopoulos I would sit down with my assistant Dana Brown and get on the phone to Washington and see if I could persuade them to give up one of these players to help secure the future outfield in Toronto.