brewcrew1020

If this were true then pitchers would have the highest OBP in the majors. If a batter never swings in the majors they will soon be striking out every appearance. It won't take long to figure out the guy won't swing at strikes. That's why even when pitchers bat they will swing at pitches. I believe you missed the point RockCo was trying to make, obviously the batter would swing after taking a strike, not just stand up there and watch every pitch. If a batter takes until he gets a strike the chance of getting ahead in the count would increase compared to not taking until you get a strike. It seems pretty cut and dry that making the pitcher throw a strike before swinging would increase the odds of getting a walk.

If its between 3 and 5 years it must be a 4 year deal (if my math is correct). All joking aside I believe it will be a 5 year deal at 56 million excluding incentives. I would be ok giving Weeks more than Uggla, although my only justification is that I THINK he will put up similar numbers to Utley from 05-08.

I believe Buerhle resides in the St. Louis area, I know that he owns some land about 90 miles to the north. I doubt leaving Chicago for Milwaukee would bother him too much. I would love to have him in the rotation behind Gallardo and Marcum.