The Milwaukee Brewers recently signed free agent starter Matt Garza to a four-year, $50 million deal, and Fox Sports baseball analyst Andrew Gruman believes the move is a gamble in a good way.

The Brewers added Garza to their starting rotation after signing him to an incentive-laden contract, which could pay him up to $67 million based on his performance on the mound.

"The contract, which includes a fifth-year vesting option for 2018, could be worth up to $67 million based on performance bonuses," ESPN reported.

"Garza gets $12.5 million a season, with $2 million annually deferred without interest. The deferred money is payable in four installments each Dec. 15 starting in 2018. He can earn an additional $1 million annually in performance bonuses: $500,000 each for 30 starts and 190 innings." 

The contract also includes a vesting option worth $13 million in 2013. Garza has to start for the Brewers at least 110 times, record 155 innings, and avoid being on the disabled list at the end of the 2017 season for the paycheck of the final year of his contract to be guaranteed. On the other hand, the Brewers will have Garza at a bargain price in the final year if he sustains a significant arm injury.

According to Gruman, Garza's signing is a gamble for the Brewers because of Garza's age and history of injury, and sometimes, inconsistency on the mound. Garza split last season with the Chicago Cubs and the Texas Rangers, going 10-6 with a 3.82 ERA and 136 strikeouts.

Then again, Gruman said that Garza's addition won't make the Brewers a playoff contender right away. He believes the team has to step up offensively and get enough firepower from their bullpen to make them a team to be reckoned with next season.

"The addition of Garza gives the Brewers a chance to contend for a Wild Card spot if the offense performs the way it can and the unproven bullpen gets the job done. This deal alone doesn't suddenly vault Milwaukee past St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, but it does give the Brewers a chance to compete this season," said Gruman.

"Is this a gamble? Sure, but as more of the contract details emerge, it is becoming clearer that this is one the Brewers needed to take," the analyst added.