Los Angeles Dodgers: Free-Agent Signings That Could Put LA Back on Top

There has been plenty of speculation regarding what or who the Los Angeles Dodgers need to win. 

Some say that the most pressing need is a new owner (which is true) and others say that better players are needed (which is also true). 

Having a stable upper management is going to be vital to start acquiring players to play for the Dodgers franchise.

After recently re-signing Matt Kemp to an eight-year, $160 million contract, the payroll for the franchise is going to have to become more conscious of its spending.

With that in mind, some players may or may not demand more money than the Dodgers have to offer.  However these signings could help put the Dodgers franchise back on the map after recent troubles on the press and play.

Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder is a beast.

From recent reports, Fielder is not necessarily a viable option for the Dodgers due to the high price he is likely to ask for.  However, this does not make him completely impossible to acquire.

He is one of the league's best hitters and most efficient ones at that.

In 2011, he averaged .299 while hitting 38 home runs and batting in 120 runs.  His OBP is at a staggering .415 and most of these stats are all exceeding his career averages.

The Dodgers have a pressing need to have a stronger lineup and score more runs.

Hopefully the Dodgers' own Andre Ethier and James Loney can pick up their play to relieve some pressure off of Matt Kemp.

However, if they cannot, adding Fielder to the lineup along with Kemp would create some huge advantages for the ballclub. 

It would help alleviate some of the offensive woes that the Dodgers experienced last season.

Roy Oswalt

Aside from the problem of scoring runs, the Dodgers have a need for pitchers.

Hiroki Kuroda has yet to confirm if he will be staying with the Dodgers or returning to Japan.

The only real effective pitcher they currently have is Clayton Kershaw, who they still need to sign a contract with.

Adding Roy Oswalt would definitely help solidify that pitching rotation.  With an ERA of 3.69 and a WHIP of 1.34, he definitely adds some skill to this position. 

With a tandem of Kershaw and Oswalt, opponents will have a difficult time scoring, which will help the batting of Kemp to add some more wins to the 2012 MLB season.  

Mark Buerhle

Mark Buehrle is another pitcher that could offer some big-time help to a struggling Dodgers rotation.

As mentioned earlier, the cage is looking fairly slim especially with the decision-less Hiroki Kuroda.

In 2011, the White Sox pitcher had an ERA of 3.59 with 109 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.30.

Buehrle will definitely strengthen the Dodgers clubhouse and is a great first step to the future goal of a World Series win.

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is arguably one of the biggest free agents on the market for the 2012 season.

He is an All-Star shortstop playing for the New York Mets and has shown signs of wanting to move to a team who has a better chance at competing for a championship.

During his 2011 season, he averaged .337 while hitting seven home runs and bringing in 44 extra runs.  He is not a long-ball hitter and is not known for cranking it over 400 feet. 

However, he is one of the game's most efficient hitters and best shortstops to play the game. 

According to the LA Times blog for the Dodgers, Colletti wants to “add a backup infielder capable of playing shortstop.”  Obviously Reyes is not a backup but would be a much better option for any shortstop currently in the Dodgers lineup.

Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins is another shortstop playing for the Philadelphia Phillies that the Dodgers should look into acquiring.

During his 2011 season he batted .268 while hitting 16 home runs and bringing in 63 runs.  His OBP was .338, which is higher than his career average of .329.

Rollins just like Reyes offers a very efficient bat and great fielding.  Although Reyes might be a more efficient hitter, Rollins does hit the ball yard more than Reyes.

Rollins won the Silver Slugger award in 2007, Gold Glove from '07-09, and MVP in 2007.

His talent has been awarded and fans know that Rollins would be a great addition to the Dodgers lineup. 

At his 2011 salary of $8.5 million and potential increase demand, his viability could be limited with the payroll the Dodgers possess. 

However, all the choices are thought of without salary in mind and strictly free-agent talent on the market.