Randy Wolf

The Milwaukee Brewers needed to make a pitching splash in free agency over the winter. Once it was apparent that John Lackey wouldn't become a Brewer, GM Doug Melvin signed the next best option, Randy Wolf.

Wolf signed a three-year, $29.75 million deal with the Brewers on December 9.

There were two main thoughts by most after the signing: Wolf is a good pitcher, but the Brewers overpaid to get him.

Both statements are true, but that's the price the Brewers must pay in order to get a big-name free agent to come play in Milwaukee.

The news that 33-year-old left-hander Randy Wolf has signed a three-year deal with Milwaukee worth $29.75 million broke this morning.

ESPN's Buster Olney cited a Major League Baseball source close to the team and player. And so Milwaukee made one of the first more significant pitcher free agent signings this offseason.