The Los Angeles Dodgers will be looking in the bargain bin in free agency due to money problems. These are the three guys I would sign up to play for the Dodgers in 2012:

1. Joel Pineiro - A return to the National League should be just what the doctor ordered to get Pineiro back on the right path as the #5 starter for the Dodgers in 2012.

2. Ramon Santiago - The Dodgers could use a solid, versatile backup infielder like Ramon Santiago. He can also help them out as a pinch hitter off the bench.

3. Scott Hairston - Scott Hairston would give the Dodgers a nice power bat off the bench in 2012.

With the Dodgers in bankruptcy court right now, I see them trying to get as much money off the books as they can this week. I see the Dodgers not really caring what they get back for some of the guys as long as they don’t have to pay them. That isn’t the case with Hiroki Kuroda, Matt Guerrier, Jamey Carroll or Aaron Miles. Those guys have value on the trade market and the Dodgers should expect to get a decent return for them. But, guys like Rod Barajas, Juan Uribe, Casey Blake, Rafael Furcal and Ted Lilly could be moved for pennies on a dollar as long as the Dodgers don’t have to send much, if any, cash with them. The Dodgers will want to get something for 1B James Loney if they deal him because of his age. Dioner Navarro, Mike MacDougal and Juan Rivera could also have a new address by this Sunday. The Winds of Change are blowing hard for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have been decimated by injuries this year plus the owner filed for bankruptcy. Don’t be surprised to see an epic firesale with any team willing to take on cash picking at the Dodgers’ roster. Personally, I think that would be a terrible road for the proud Dodgers to go down. I would just make smaller deals unless the Dodgers are overwhelmed with the return they can get for some of their better veteran players. The Phillies would probably be more than willing to part with rookie 1B prospect Matt Rizzotti for infielder Aaron Miles and righty reliever Matt Guerrier. The Dodgers would take that deal. I could also see the Dodgers dealing infielder Matt Carroll to a team like the Atlanta Braves for rookie outfielder Corey Harrilchak. The Dodgers can’t afford to take pennies on a dollar prospect wise this month or they are going to set the organization back a few years.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are sitting at 31-39 on the season and they are 8.5 games behind the Giants in the N.L. West. With the owner having money deals, I think the Dodgers are going to have an epic firesale. Rod Barajas, Rafael Furcal, James Loney, Aaron Miles, Jamey Carroll, Juan Uribe, Casey Blake, Tony Gwynn, Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda will likely all be for sale. The Dodgers will likely take lesser prospects if the other team is ready to take on full contracts. I look for the Dodgers’ roster to basically be picked clean if teams just have to take on money without giving up much prospect wise. This could get ugly.

The Dodgers have some tough decisions to make concerning the 8 free agents they have going into this winter. Here is how I see them handling these guys:

Hiroki Kuroda: 35-year old righty starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda started 31 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 11-13 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. VERDICT: Kuroda is going to be one of the best righty starting pitchers on the open market. I see the Dodgers wanting to bring him back but not getting in a bidding war for his services.

Vicente Padilla: 33-year old righty starting pitcher Vicente Padilla pitched in 16 games (all starts) for the Dodgers last season and he was 6-5 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. VERDICT: If the Dodgers can get Padilla back with a reasonable base salary plus incentives I can see them bringing him back for 2011.

Rod Barajas: 35-year old righty swinging catcher Rod Barajas played in 25 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 19 of 64 (.297 avg, .939 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 5 homers and 13 RBIs. He played in 99 games overall last season for the Dodgers & Mets and he was 75 of 313 (.240 avg, .731 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 17 homers and 47 RBIs. VERDICT: Unless the Dodgers get rid of Russell Martin this winter I don’t see the Dodgers being able to keep Barajas who is going to want P.T. in 2011.

Scott Podsednik: 34-year old lefty swinging outfielder Scott Podsednik played in 39 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 39 of 149 (.262 avg, .648 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 1 homer, 7 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. He played in 134 games overall last season with the Royals & Dodgers and he was 160 of 539 (.297 avg, .724 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 6 homers, 51 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. Podsednik has a $2 million dollar mutual option for 2011 with a $100K buyout. VERDICT: The Dodgers should pick up their side of the mutual option as Podsednik would be a great #4 outfielder for them in 2011. Podsednik might be more interested in testing the open market though as he had a decent year in 2010.

Reed Johnson: 33-year old righty swinging outfielder Reed Johnson played in 102 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 53 of 202 (.262 avg, .657 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 2 homers, 15 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. VERDICT: The Dodgers might bring Johnson back for 2011 if Podsednik leaves.

Jay Gibbons: 33-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jay Gibbons played in 37 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 21 of 75 (.280 avg, .819 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 5 homers and 17 RBIs. VERDICT: Gibbons will probably feel like giving the Dodgers a cheap deal for giving him a chance to get back to the majors. If so, the Dodgers should take him up on it.

Jeff Weaver: 34-year old righty reliever Jeff Weaver pitched in 43 games (0 starts) for the Dodgers last season and he was 5-1 with a 6.09 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. VERDICT: The Dodgers are going to let Weaver walk.

Brad Ausmus: 41-year old righty swinging catcher Brad Ausmus played in 21 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 14 of 63 (.222 avg, .564 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 2 RBIs. VERDICT: He has retired.