M's bats not drawing walks by design

We have all noticed the M's have not be scoring many runs. There are two simple reasons for this. One, they have displayed little power. Two, they have not drawn many walks.

Part of the power problem is simply Safeco and a small sample size, but the walks is more maddening.

The reason the M's aren't getting on base is because Hargrove and the FO apparently don't believe in the walk. When Willie Bloomquist is getting the green light on a 3-0 pitch to swing away, THAT IS A CLEAR SIGN HARGROVE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT WALKS.

When Raul Ibanez watches a pitcher throw 12 balls in 14 pitches, and SWINGS AT THE FIRST PITCH, that is bad baseball. That is an organization that does not value a walk.

Anyone reading this blog knows walks are important. Base runners mean better chances to score runs. It means the pitcher has to face more batters. It means you make the opponent throw more pitches. You get to their bullpen earlier. On and On and On. Many well documented reasons to value a walk.

But it is clear this regime, at this point in the season, is not placing much emphasis on walks.

That is a problem.