Randy Wolf moves on

Randy Wolf said an offer from the Dodgers might have given him pause. But the offer never came, not even in the form of a proposal for arbitration.

So on Wednesday, Wolf agreed to the terms of a three-year, $29.75-million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an option for a fourth year.

“I have sentimental ties to L.A., obviously,” said Wolf, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley and took a hometown discount to pitch for the Dodgers in 2007. “It made the decision a lot easier because the Dodgers weren’t involved.”

Wolf was the Dodgers’ most reliable starter this year -- he was 11-7 with a 3.23 earned-run average in a career-high 214 1/3 innings -- but his agent’s conversations with General Manager Ned Colletti never moved past preliminary stages.

“They told us what their interest was and what they needed in terms of finances,” Colletti said. “It wasn’t something we were comfortable doing.”

Wolf’s agent, Arn Tellem, went as far as to offer the Dodgers one last chance to sign his client Wednesday morning. Colletti said he told Tellem that Wolf’s asking price was too high.

“That’s not us,” Colletti recalled telling Tellem. “That’s not our interest level.”

Wolf said he was disappointed by the Dodgers’ lack of interest, and somewhat surprised.

“L.A., I had a great experience out there,” he said. “Guys on the team were great. I got to win with those guys and battle with those guys. But I don’t live in a cave. I’ve read plenty of things how there are plenty of issues going on with the team right now. It’s not my job to speculate on these things. But if these things are hurting the club, it’s unfortunate because it’s a historic ballclub.”

Earlier this month, the Dodgers declined to offer Wolf arbitration, which is basically a one-year deal at a salary to be determined. The organization’s fear was that Wolf could have been granted a salary reward as high as $15 million.

The decision meant that any team signing Wolf, a Type A free agent, would not have to hand over a high pick in the June amateur draft to the Dodgers as compensation.

Wolf said that the Brewers, who were already aggressive in their pursuit of him, became even more aggressive.

“Any baggage that would come with me was lifted,” Wolf said.

Had Wolf declined an arbitration offer from the Dodgers and signed with the Brewers, the Dodgers would have received the Brewers’ second-round pick, as well as a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. (The Brewers’ top pick would have been protected because it is in the first half of the first round.)

Colletti said Wednesday that he didn’t second-guess the decision.

Wolf said his interest in Milwaukee increased about a week and a half ago, when he met with General Manager Doug Melvin in Los Angeles.

Wolf said he liked how even when the Brewers found themselves out of contention last season, they didn’t sit their veterans in favor of prospects. Pointing to how Milwaukee was able to win 80 games despite ranking last in baseball in starting pitching ERA, he said he believes the Brewers can win the National League Central next season.

Wolf, who has pitched on one-year deals in each of the last three years, said he was pleased to get some long-term security.

But, he added, “It’s not inked yet.”

It won’t be until at least Monday, the day Wolf is scheduled to undergo a physical that would make the deal official.

Believing in DeWitt

Colletti said he is looking for a veteran second baseman to pair with Blake DeWitt to replace the departed Orlando Hudson. Among the available players are Ronnie Belliard, Juan Uribe, Craig Counsell and Jamey Carroll.

Colletti defended DeWitt’s performance last season. DeWitt hit .204 in 31 major league games, something Colletti attributed to an inability to develop a rhythm because he was called up to the big leagues six times.

No movement

Colletti said he continues to explore trade possibilities, including some three-way deals, but doesn’t expect anything to be done by the conclusion of the winter meetings today.

Castro moves on

Utility man Juan Castro left theDodgers and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies because the Dodgers offered him only a minor league contract, according to Castro’s agent, Oscar Suarez. Castro signed a one-year, $750,000 major league deal with the Phillies.

Relief interest

Some of the Dodgers’ young relievers are drawing the interest of other teams.

The New York Mets have inquired about Ronald Belisario and Cory Wade, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

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